National Professors Council president claims trial to CBT involving RM271k

Two individuals including National Professors Council (NPC) president Emeritus Professor Raduan Che Rose claimed trial in the Shah Alam Sessions Court today, each to seven charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), involving RM271,000, in 2023 and April this year.

For two charges, Raduan (above), 64, was accused of misusing his capacity as NPC president to transfer RM71,000 into the bank account of MPN Global Reach Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Professor Kefli Mahbol, 65.

For the other five charges, Raduan as MPN Global Reach Sdn Bhd director was accused of committing CBT by transferring RM200,000 in funds to Kefli’s account using five cheques.

The funds were down payments for a programme that MPN Global Reach was organising in collaboration with UKMShape, an entity of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

The charges were framed in accordance with Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides for a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years in prison with whipping and can be fined.

Complicity

In separate proceedings, Kefli was charged with two counts of complicity with Raduan, who is also Universiti Teknologi Mara board of directors chairperson, for CBT involving the NPC allocation fund amounting to RM71,000.

He was also charged with five counts of colluding with Raduan to commit CBT involving the down payment for the UKMShape-MPN Global Reach Sdn Bhd programme through five bank cheques amounting to RM200,000.

The charge was brought under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read with Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and with whipping and a fine.

The two individuals allegedly committed all the offences on April 3 and March 14, 2023, and April 5, 8 and 15, 2024 at NPC, Kajang in Hulu Langat.

‘I did nothing wrong’

Earlier, as soon as the charges were read out at the proceedings, Raduan said the approval (regarding the withdrawal of money) was given based on his position and capacity.

“I am shocked at all these charges, and I believe I did nothing wrong. I am still surprised (by these charges).”

MACC deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How prosecuted, while the two accused were represented by lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.

Judge Anita Harun then set bail at RM40,000 for each accused with one surety and ordered the accused to report to the Putrajaya MACC office once a month, as well as not to disturb or contact prosecution witnesses.

The next case mention is set for Oct 23.

- Bernama

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