Former project manager charged with CBT involving Tabung Haji project penalties [WATCH]

KOTA BARU: A former construction project manager was charged in the Sessions Court here today with criminal breach of trust involving RM14,000 in penalty payments collected from a contractor for a Tabung Haji-owned commercial development in 2017 and 2018.

Mohamad Hashim Mukhatap, 53, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Judge Dazuki Ali.

According to the charge, the accused, who was the construction manager of THP Timur Sdn Bhd, allegedly committed criminal breach of trust by depositing RM14,000 into his personal bank account.

The money was collected as a penalty from the contractor, Kelpile Sdn Bhd, for a proposed 22-storey commercial building comprising serviced apartments, penthouses, public facilities, business premises, parking bays, additional basement levels and related facilities on Lot 273, Section 12, Kota Bharu.

The offence was allegedly committed at Sofea Residensi, Section 12, here, between Nov 15, 2017 and Aug 8, 2018.

Mohamad Hashim was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code (Act 574), which provides for imprisonment of between two and 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) public prosecutor Mariah Omar appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin.

Earlier, Mariah proposed bail of RM15,000 with one surety, together with additional conditions requiring the accused to report to a MACC office, surrender his passport and refrain from interfering with witnesses.

Fahmi sought bail of RM5,000, saying his client was supporting school-going children and his mother. He also told the court that the accused had cooperated fully with MACC and the court.

The court subsequently granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety and imposed additional conditions requiring the accused to report monthly to the MACC office in Shah Alam, Selangor, surrender his passport and refrain from interfering with witnesses.