Two Felda former senior officers were charged in the Sessions Court here today, with criminal breach of trust (CBT) and abetting involving about RM48 million, three years ago.
Felda former deputy director-general (Strategic Resource Management), Muhammad Sufi Mahbub, 53, faces two counts of CBT while Felda former director-general, Datuk Faizoull Ahmad, 57, faces two counts of abetting him.
Both Muhammad Sufi and Faizoull pleaded not guilty to all the charges read before Judge, Allaudeen Ismail.
Muhammad Sufi was charged with dishonestly giving approval for payment of RM25,999,000 and RM21,625,500 respectievely, without approval of the Felda Board of Directors or the Felda Tender Committee.
He allegedly committed the offences at Wisma Felda, Jalan Perumahan Gurney, between Jan 13, 2014 and July 23, 2014 under Section 409 of Penal Code which provides a jail term of up to 20 years, with whipping and fine, upon conviction.
Faizoull was charged with two counts of abetting Muhammad Sufi under Section 109 of the Penal Code which provides for similar punishment upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said he was against granting them bail but if it was to be granted, it should be set at RM1 million for each.
Counsel Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak (for Muhammad Sufi) and Azad Bashir (for Faizoull) appealed for bail saying that were the main family bread winner.
Allaudeen allowed both the accused bail of RM1 million each with one surety each and fixed April 27 for mention of the case.
“Both the accused are allowed to pay a deposit of RM500,000 today while the remaining RM500,000 has to be made on or before March 22.
“If they cannot raise the remaining RM500,000, they can surrender their land titles and passports to the court,” he added. — Bernama
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