ACTIVIST, TWO OTHERS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO BRIBE CHARGES INVOLVING CELEBRITY PREACHER

ALOR SETAR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- A political activist and his two friends pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to charges of soliciting and accepting bribes from a celebrity preacher last year.

The accused, Zamil Ibrahim, 58, Jamal Muhaideen Mohmad Hussin, 41, and Muhammad Redza Adzmi, 34, were jointly charged with soliciting a RM400,000 bribe from preacher Ahmad Husam Muhamad Baderudin at a hotel lobby in Sungai Petani at about 9 pm on Nov 4, 2024.

The gratification was allegedly sought as an inducement to assist in resolving a money laundering investigation involving Yayasan Ar-Riyadah conducted by the police (PDRM).

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For the second charge, the trio were accused of accepting RM20,000 from Ahmad Husam for the same purpose at the compound of Masjid Al-Khairiyah Bedong, in the Kuala Muda district, at about 12.30 pm the  following day.

They were charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini granted each accused bail of RM15,000 with one surety and fixed Nov 26 for mention.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC deputy public prosecutor, Ahmad Fariz Abdul Hamid, assisted by prosecuting officer Mohd Zulfadli Azharudin. Zamil and Jamal Muhaideen were represented by counsel Aiman Abdul Rahman, while Muhammad Redza was represented by counsel S Ganesan.

-- BERNAMA