KUALA TERENGGANU: A former quantity surveyor at the Dungun Municipal Council was charged in the Sessions Court here with abusing his position to obtain gratification.

Mohammad Hanif Ahmad, 41, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to the charge before judge Mohd Azhar Othman on Monday (June 30).

He is charged with using his position as a member of the tender and quotation evaluation committee by recommending a company owned by his parents for a work contract worth RM150,000.

The job involved the construction of an animal shelter at Taman Rimba, Bandar Bukit Bauk in Dungun six years ago.

The offence was allegedly committed in April and May 2019 at the Dungun Municipal Council office.

The charge, under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The court allowed Hanif bail of RM6,000 with one surety and also ordered him to report to the nearest MACC office every month, not to intimidate witnesses, and to surrender his passport.

The court also set July 29 for mention for the submission of documents. – Bernama