Ex-UKM centre director faces 2 abuse of power charges

Former UKM Centre for Advanced and Professional Education director Muhammad Hussin pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam sessions court. PETALING JAYA: A former director of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Centre for Advanced and Professional Education (UKMShape) has been charged at the Shah Alam sessions court with two counts of abuse of power involving RM3.12 million.

Muhammad Hussin, 64, claimed trial after the charges were read to him before judge Nasir Nordin, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Muhammad allegedly abused his position as a member of Koperasi Siswazah Bangi Bhd to influence its board to appoint QTech Management Malaysia Sdn Bhd, in which he allegedly had an interest.

The appointment was for a RM3.12 million contract to manage the Master of Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education programmes through UKM’s education faculty.

The offences were allegedly committed at a residential college at the university and a hotel in Hulu Langat on Feb 26 and June 25, 2022.

The charges were framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for abuse of power, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

MACC deputy public prosecutor Muaz Ahmad Khairuddin proposed bail of RM300,000 with additional conditions requiring Muhammad to report to an MACC office, surrender his passport to the court and refrain from tampering with prosecution witnesses.

Defence counsel Wafi Anwar Roslan sought a reduction in bail amount to RM50,000, citing his client’s financial responsibilities for two wives and nine children, including a 22-day-old baby.

He said Muhammad retired four years ago and receives a monthly pension of RM8,000.

"The accused also suffers from tissue cancer and heart disease, which require regular treatment," he said.

He urged the court to reject the condition for Muhammad to surrender his passport, saying his client’s second wife and child are in Indonesia. The court, however, proceeded to order him to surrender his passport.

The judge set bail at RM80,000, ordered Muhammad not to tamper with prosecution witnesses, and fixed Nov 12 for case mention.