Land assistant officer claims trial to permit offence

A Land Office assistant officer claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to an offence involving rock transfer permit applications.

Ahmad Ehwan Ahmad, 56, is accused of receiving RM150,000 as gratification from Toh Ang Poo in the alleged deals, through his account at Affin Bank, No 24-7-25, Jalan Kebun Teh 1 on Sept 5.

The charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment of up to two years or a fine or both, on conviction.

Judge Mohd Fauzi Mohd Nasir set RM30,000 as bail with one surety and impounded the accused's passport pending disposal of the case, and Feb 14 for mention.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Amir Nasruddin from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission proposed for the bail to be set at RM50,000 with one surety and for the accused's travel documents to be surrendered to the court.

However, counsel Azrul Stork requested for a lower bail sum of RM25,000 as the accused had not been paid a salary since his suspension from work in November, and has a wife and five children to support. -- Bernama