Senior Military Officer Mohamed Fauzi Charged With RM5 Mln CBT

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- A senior officer of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Maj Gen Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis, was charged at the Sessions Court here today with criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM5 million from the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) about two years ago.

Mohamed Fauzi, 56, who was dressed in a dark blue full suit, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Suzana Hussin.

“I understand the charge; I plead not guilty and claim trial,” said the accused, who is the Chief of Staff of the Joint Forces Headquarters. 

Mohamed Fauzi was charged in his capacity as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Services (AKSPA) and chairman of the TKAT Investment Committee, with committing the offence by dishonestly misappropriating the funds through additional investments in Precious Amber International Berhad without obtaining approval from the TKAT Investment Committee.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Ministry of Defence, Jalan Padang Tembak, Kementah here on Nov 27, 2023.

The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code (Act 574), which provides for a prison term of not less than two years and up to 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Law Chin How proposed bail of RM300,000 with one surety, together with a condition that the accused surrender his passport to the court, taking into account that the offence is a serious one.

“The accused’s passport should be surrendered to the court as he is still serving as Chief of Staff of the Joint Forces Headquarters, in addition to the risk of absconding, as the accused frequently travels abroad. Therefore, the proposed bail is reasonable,” said Law.

Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, representing Mohamed Fauzi, applied for the bail amount to be reduced to RM70,000 because his client has three school-going children and is still serving as Chief of Staff of the Joint Forces Headquarters.

“The defence does not object to the surrender of the client’s passport to the court. However, the bail amount of RM300,000 is unreasonable, and the accused will attend court at every mention as scheduled,” he said.

However, Law objected to the defence’s application to reduce the bail to RM70,000.

Suzana granted him bail of RM100,000 with one surety, with the additional condition that he surrender his passport to the court until the case is concluded.

The court fixed March 16 for mention.

-- BERNAMA