KOTA KINABALU: A self-employed man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to cheating a company owner of RM100,000 to help secure a project for the company.

Fariz Fadila Ag Kamarudin, 35, was alleged to have offered to carry out a joint venture project with the company, prompting the company owner to hand over the money to him.

The offence was allegedly committed in the Penampang district between January and April 2013.

The charge was framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code which provides imprisonment for up to 10 years, and whipping, and is also liable with fine, if found guilty.

Judge Abu Bakar Manat allowed the accused bail of RM20,000 with a deposit of RM8,000 in one surety, and also ordered him to report himself at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office once a month, as well as to surrender his passport to the court and not disturb witnesses in the case.

The court set Jan12 next year for mention.

Prosecuting officer from MACC Nurul Izzati Sapifee prosecuted, while Fariz Fadila was unrepresented.

-- BERNAMA