SHAH ALAM: A former special officer to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has claimed trial in the Sessions Court to a charge of corruption involving RM80,000.
Zailan Jauhari (pic), 47, who was working for the then acting Transport Minister in 2014 (now Defence Minister), allegedly accepted a bribe from one Siti Rahmah Sabli.
The bribe was purportedly a “fee” for helping Syarikat KCM Maju Resources and Syarikat Sri Kajang Jaya secure a tender from the Education Ministry for cleaning services at several schools in Kuala Selangor.
He allegedly took RM20,000 cash and a RM60,000 cheque dated Jan 10, 2014, from Siti Rahmah at a restaurant, Mak Engku Steamboat & Grill, in Kuala Selangor between 7.30pm and 8pm on Jan 8, 2014.
Zailan pleaded not guilty before Sessions judge Asmadi Hussin yesterday.
Defence counsel Fadzil Manan said that his client was a government contract worker earning RM2,300 a month and married with three children, two of whom are studying in primary school.
“He’s paying RM1,200 monthly to rent a house. I urge the court to give him a low bail as he has given full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” Fadzil said.
DPP Mohammed Heikal Ismail said that Zailan was arrested in 2014 and then was out on MACC bail.
“Since he’s been on bail, he has never reported back to the MACC office. He is only here in court because MACC knocked on his door this morning,” he said.
Asmadi fixed bail at RM30,000 in one surety and ordered the accused to report to a police station every month till the case was concluded.
The case next comes up for mention on Feb 13.
When asked about the case, Hishammuddin said he hoped the truth would prevail.
“I was informed that this is an old case. The officer has been with me since I was in the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry.
“Let the court proceedings take its course,” he told reporters after witnessing a MoU signing for a programme to help army veterans in the B40 wage bracket (below RM3,900 a month).-nst
