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BUTTERWORTH: An officer from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was charged with 52 counts of abuse of power in the Court of Sessions here today for purchasing supplies for her apartment through a company owned by her and her husband.
It is alleged that USM Sports and Recreation Center Administrative Assistant, Zurina Abdul Hamid, 43, was pleased to issue delivery orders and invoices to TZP Venture from December 31, 2013 to December 15, 2017 for a amount of RM 135,445.90.
Items purchased included stationery, paint and sporting goods for the sports center, the prosecution said.
Zurina has pleaded not guilty to the 52 charges, divided into four cases, under Section 23 of the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, for using her position as a public body official to seek gratification.
She faces 20 years in jail or a fine of five times the amount of the bonus she received if found guilty.
Deputy Prosecutor Azlan Basri asked the court to set a high bond in view of the serious breach of trust and proposed a sum of RM 73,000 for all charges.
He also asked the court to confiscate his passport and order him to report to the MACC office on a monthly basis until the next court date.
Zurina’s lawyer, Meharaj Selvarajoo, asked for a low bail, saying that his client currently earns RM 1,525 after deductions.
He said that Zurina’s husband is a bank employee who earns RM4,000 a month and that the couple have four children between the ages of five and 18.
He said they also have to take care of Zurina’s ill mother, 71, and her older brother who works in a factory.
Meharaj said Zurina suffers from a low platelet count and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
He said there is no problem with Zurina running away as she has attended regular meetings with MACC since she was called last January, and has posted an attendance bond of RM5,000, which was renewed twice.
Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid posted bail of RM24,000 on all charges with a guarantee and ordered Zurina to report to the nearest police station on a monthly basis. He also posted the November 4 mention.
Zurina paid the bail.
