Former UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) chief executive officer Azlizan Fadzil, 52, has pleaded not guilty to a criminal breach of trust (CBT) charge involving RM37.37 million at the Shah Alam Sessions Court today, according to Bernama.
Azlizan, who arrived at the court in a wheelchair, entered the plea after the charge was read before Sessions Court Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.
The charge relates to RM37,374,612.68 entrusted to Azlizan, who was UHSB CEO at the time, for the investment and development of a 50MW large-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in Gambang, Pahang.
He is alleged to have misappropriated the funds by making payments for purposes other than the intended project.
The alleged offence took place at Affin Bank Bhd, UiTM Shah Alam Branch, Level 2, Menara Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah in Petaling district, between Feb 2 and Oct 2, 2017.
The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Law Chin How, assisted by Atirah Mohd Azuarizanuddin, offered bail of RM100,000 with an additional condition for Azlizan to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office every three months.
Law said the proposed bail took into account the value involved, the high-profile nature of the case, the reputation of UiTM as well as the allegations involving a solar project and leakage of public funds.
Defence lawyer Hasshahari Johari Mawi, however, sought a reduction in bail to RM20,000, citing Azlizan’s health condition. He said his client suffers from a stroke and cognitive impairment and had no income after leaving his employment.
Hasshahari also said Azlizan’s wife and family were supporting him and that his wife was responsible for seven children aged between 14 and 21, all of whom were still studying.
The defence offered to surrender Azlizan’s passport and argued that his health condition meant there was little risk of him fleeing.
The court subsequently granted bail of RM50,000 with two sureties. It also ordered Azlizan to surrender his passport, report to a nearby MACC office every three months and refrain from interfering with witnesses.
The court fixed Nov 3 for mention.
The case follows an earlier MACC statement that a former senior management officer of a corporation would be charged over losses involving UHSB, including allegations of abuse of power in payments for operating expenses to several companies amounting to about RM42 million.
MACC said the man, who was in his 50s, was arrested at his home in the Klang Valley at about 1pm on Wednesday. Initial investigations found that he was suspected of making payments for operating expenses to several companies in 2017 which were believed to have interests in the companies involved.
