SHAH ALAM (Oct 1): A former chief executive officer of UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) has been charged with criminal breach of trust (CBT) for misappropriating RM37.4 million earmarked for solar power development.

Azlizan Fadzil, who was in court in a wheelchair due to his stroke, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial before Sessions Court judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.

The 52-year-old is accused of misappropriating RM37.4 million by making payments other than for the specified purpose of investment in a large-scale 50MW solar photovoltaic power generation development in Gambang, Pahang.

The alleged offence took place between February and October 2017.  

The single charge is framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code and carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term between two to 20 years, whipping and a fine.

UHSB is the wholly owned investment holding company of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), generating wealth and creating commercial investment opportunities for the institute of higher learning.  

The court set bail at RM50,000 with two sureties, with additional conditions for the accused to report to authorities once every three months and not to disturb potential prosecution witnesses.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How proposed RM100,000 bail, citing the large sum involved, UiTM's reputation at stake and its high-profile nature which involves leakages of public funds.

Defence counsel Hasshahari Johari Mawi asked for a lower bail of RM20,000 as his client has no independent income and is fully dependent on his wife and family.

The lawyer added that the wife has to also care for seven children aged between 14 and 21 years old, who are all still schooling.

Hasshahari also added that his client suffers from cognitive impairment and is not a flight risk.

He added that his client has also been cooperative with authorities in their investigations.

The case comes up for mention on Nov 3.

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