Elopura CDO Pleads Not Guilty To Using Post To Help Family Get SMJ House

SANDAKAN, March 6 (Bernama) -- A community development officer (CDO) pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to two charges of using his position to recommend two family members to obtain assistance from the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Friendly Homes Programme in 2022.

The accused Herman Idris, 52, made the plea after the charge was read out before Judge Elsie Primus.

According to the charge sheet, Herman, as the community development officer for the Elopura state constituency, was charged with using his position by recommending two family members as recipients of SMJ houses worth RM70,000 and subsequently being selected to receive the aid.

The accused was charged with committing the offence at Wisma Perbandaran, Sandakan Municipal Council at 2.30 pm, September 26 2022.

The accused was charged under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 which is punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same Act and if convicted, faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribery offence if assessable or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC prosecuting officer Dzulkarnain Rousan Hasbi while the accused was represented by lawyer Sharatha Masyaroh John Ridwan Lincon.

The court allowed the accused to be bailed at RM15,000 with one local surety, besides surrendering his passport to the court and reporting to the MACC Office once in two months, and fixed April 2 for re-mention of the case.

--BERNAMA