Marine Department director-general Mohamad Halim Ahmed has been put on leave pending the outcome of his criminal trial for alleged cheating.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke - whose ministry oversees the department - said while the doctrine of innocent until proven guilty applies, it is the procedure for civil servants to be put on leave when facing criminal charges.

"While his case is ongoing in court, he will not be reporting for duty," Loke told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Last week Halim (above) was charged with cheating his predecessor Baharin Abdul Hamid in October 2020 by giving him a letter from the Transport Ministry falsely claiming ministerial approval for exemptions for shipping companies to bring in heavy-grade oil into Malaysian waters.

This allegedly deceived Baharin into issuing exemption letters to the shipping companies.

At the time, Halim was the former secretary of the Maritime Division at the Transport Ministry.

The charge under Section 417 of the Penal Code provides imprisonment for up to five years or a fine or both.

Marine Dept DG charged with cheating

Marine Dept DG charged with cheating