KUALA LUMPUR: A former senior manager at Tabung Haji (TH) is seeking to quash his conviction for corruption over a RM170,477 bribe he received more than 10 years ago.
Zaharuddin Hamid was found guilty by the sessions court on Nov 30, 2023, on three counts of graft involving RM170,477 received through a company from a man named Yusaidi Mohd.
The court sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment for each of the three charges, to be served concurrently, and fined him RM852,385, with an additional 15 months’ imprisonment if he failed to pay.
The money, deposited into his sister's account, was intended as an inducement to help two construction firms secure renovation contracts at TH's offices in Ipoh, Perak, and in Muar, Batu Pahat and Kluang, Johor.
According to the facts of the case, Zaharuddin met with Yusaidi and another individual at a restaurant sometime in 2015 to discuss the renovation tender.
The sessions court was told that during the meeting, Zaharuddin demanded a 2% cut from Yusaidi with the payment to be made in two tranches.
Zaharuddin denied this. The court ruled that his defence amounted to a bare denial and failed to rebut the statutory presumption invoked.
Zaharuddin was granted bail pending the disposal of his appeal.
High Court judge Noor Ruwena Nurdin fixed Jan 20 for the hearing of Zaharuddin's appeal during case management today.
Zaharuddin was represented by Ashok Athimulan while deputy public prosecutor Haresh Prakash Somiah appeared for the prosecution.