A former TH Properties Sdn Bhd deputy general manager of construction projects was charged in the Sessions Court here today with abetting a criminal breach of trust involving RM14,000 in penalty funds collected from a contractor for a Tabung Haji-owned commercial development.
Tengku Kamarolhisham Tengku Kamaruddin, 55, pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetting Mohamad Hashim Mukhatap, then a construction manager at THP Timur Sdn Bhd who was entrusted with the funds.
The offence was allegedly committed between Nov 15, 2017 and Aug 8, 2018 at Sofea Residensi, Lot 10015, Section 12, in the Kota Bharu district.
The money was allegedly collected as a penalty from contractor Kelpile Sdn Bhd for a proposed 22-storey commercial development on Lot 273, Section 12, Bandar Kota Bharu.
The project comprises 244 serviced apartment units, four penthouses, public amenities, commercial space, parking facilities and related facilities.
The charge was framed under Section 109 read together with Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Asmah Che Wan proposed bail of RM15,000, while lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin Khairuddin, representing Tengku Kamarolhisham, requested RM5,000.
Fahmi said his client earned RM5,000 a month and had six children, with some recently starting work while others were studying at public institutions of higher learning or secondary school.
Judge Dazuki Ali set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and ordered Tengku Kamarolhisham to surrender his passport, refrain from interfering with witnesses and report to the Shah Alam MACC office monthly.
The court set Oct 19 for mention.
On Sept 15, Mohamad Hashim, 53, was charged with criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating the RM14,000 by depositing the funds into his personal bank account.
