KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): A company director has claimed trial on Wednesday (May 10) to four charges of asking for and receiving RM15 million in bribes two years ago, to help a company secure projects with the Home Ministry.
Datuk Seri Sim Choo Thiam, 53, was slapped with one charge of soliciting a RM15 million bribe from Asia Coding Centre Sdn Bhd managing director Hep Kim Hong as inducement for then Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to assist Asia Coding to secure projects from agencies under the ministry.
According to the charge, Sim had asked Hep for the amount through another person, Syed Abu Zafran Syed Ahmad.
The offence was alleged to have occurred in Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, in June 2021.
Sim is also facing three charges of receiving RM3.5 million, RM5.5 million and RM6 million from Hep as inducement for Hamzah to assist Asia Coding to secure projects from agencies under the ministry.
The offence was alleged to have also occurred in Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, on three occasions between July 19 and 30, 2021.
Sim pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to all the charges read to him before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob.
All charges are framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries up to 20 years' jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Bail set at RM1 million
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that this was a non-bailable offence but left it to the court's discretion. He suggested bail at RM1 million with one surety.
He also suggested additional terms for Sim to surrender his passport to the court and to report to the MACC monthly.
Sim's counsel Low Wei Loke did not object to the terms. The businessman was also represented by Hannah Kam Zhen Yi and Kee Wei Lon.
Rozina set bail at RM1 million along with the prosecution's suggested terms. The Sessions Court judge also asked if the accused was able to pay the amount on Wednesday, to which his lawyers said it was possible.
Rozina also set June 14 for the next mention.