A Health Ministry director pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today to two counts of using her position for gratification by awarding projects to her son’s company.

S Tselvin, 58, a director at the ministry’s nursing division, was charged with using her position in selecting Fort Mark Sdn Bhd, an information technology company belonging to her son, to carry out upgrading works of the ministry’s nursing portal, worth RM12,300, at her workplace.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya between Oct 13 and 15, 2014.

On the second count, she was charged with appointing the same company to handle a RM2,000 contract for the preparation of a video montage for the 2015 International Nurse’s Day celebration.

The offence was allegedly committed at the same place on May 7 this year.

Both the charges were made under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides a jail term of up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification or RM10,000, which ever is higher, upon conviction.

Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin allowed Tselvin bail of RM10,000 for both charges and set Aug 28 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Lokman Kasim prosecuted, while lawyer S Devanandan represented Tselvin.

- Bernama