A former mosque administration coordinator has been brought before the Sessions Court in Ipoh on 16 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving imam remuneration payments totaling RM30,250.
The accused, Muhamad Azian Mat Isa, 38, previously served as the Taiping District Mosque Administration Coordinator when the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2023.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges before Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.
READ MORE:Â Case Filed Against GIO Activists Over Pro-Palestine Rally at Madayi Para
According to the prosecution, the funds were misappropriated from overpayments ranging between RM850 and RM5,950 at ten mosques in Taiping. The offences were allegedly committed at the Taiping District Islamic Religious Office from March 2019 to July 2023.
The charges were filed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison, whipping, and fines upon conviction.
Prosecuting officer Suzieyana Azura Yahaya from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) requested bail set at RM4,000 per charge, with additional conditions including bi-monthly reporting.
Defence counsel Ahmad Shamil Azad Abdul Hamid appealed for reduced bail, stressing that his client currently earns a modest income as a goat herder while supporting four children.
After hearing submissions, the court fixed bail at RM16,000 in total, with conditions requiring the accused to report monthly to the MACC and surrender his passport until the trial concludes.
The case has been scheduled for mention on October 13.
