JOHOR BARU, Jun 19 – An assistant veterinary officer pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to four counts of corruption involving RM35,000 between August 2013 and April 2014. Mohd Razi Basar, 40, who heads the Ruminant Unit of the Johor Veterinary Service Department, made the plea after the charges were read out before Judge Mohd Fauzi Mohd Nasir.

On the first and second count, Mohd Razi, as the Supply Project Officer at the Johor Veterinary Service Department, was alleged to have received with consideration cheques for RM5,000 and RM10,000 from a contractor by the name of Sarjuni Kariani, whom he knew had connection with his official function.

It was to help Sarjuni to obtain the job of supplying 60 heads of buffaloes, including 10 studs, to the Johor Veterinary Service Department. The offences were allegedly committed in Kampung Belahan Tompok, Rengit, near Batu Pahat, on Aug 1 and Oct 22, 2013.

On the third charge, Mohd Razi was alleged to have committed a similar offence by receiving a cheque for RM17,000 for himself, which was made under the name of his wife, Suriana Abdul Karim, from Sarjuni, at the same place at about 8.30 pm on Jan 21, 2014.

It was in connection with the supply of mobile plastic water tankers to the Johor Veterinary Service Department. On the fourth count, he was charged with receiving a cheque for RM3,000 for himself, which was also made under Suriana’s name, at the same place at about 9 pm on April 10, 2014.

The cheque was for him to verify the supply of 340 bags of animal feed and 10 units of cyclone fence to the department and building materials for repair of cow sheds in Batu Pahat. The charges were made under Section 165 of the Penal Code which provides and imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both, if found guilty.

Lawyer M.Manian, who represented Mohd Razi, requested the court to impose reasonable bail on his client as he had a wife and three children to support. Mohd Fauzi then set bail at RM30,000 with two sureties and ordered Mohd Razi to report himself at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Batu Pahat on the first week of the month pending disposal of the case. Deputy public prosecutor Khazrin Haffiz Khalil prosecuted. The court set July 26 for mention. — Bernama

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