Former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) director Hasanah Abdul Hamid revealed that she was forced to borrow money in order to settle her RM500,000 bail.

"Yes, yes, I had to borrow (some) money," she said when met outside the court's bail counter at about 3.40pm.

Hasanah was asked if she managed to post bail.

However, when asked for further comments related to her charge this morning, she declined to comment and referred reporters to her lawyers.

Hasanah was charged with committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) in her capacity as the MEIO director involving a sum of US$12.1 million belonging to the government between April 30 and May 9 this year.

Following this, Hasanah's lawyer Shaharudin Ali appealed for her bail to be set around RM300,000 after lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram suggested it be fixed at RM1 million with two sureties.

Shaharudin told the court that Hasanah could only afford RM300,000 and that her bank accounts and pensions have been suspended.

He also cited several other reasons in making the appeal, including that Hasanah is not a flight risk, and that his client contributed to national security.

Judge Azman Ahmad then set bail at RM500,000 with two sureties, and an additional condition that Hasanah must surrender her passport.