Kuala Lumpur: A Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) Land Scheme officer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of cheating a senior citizen in relation to repair works at a rubber collection centre two years ago. Eddy Khirin Bunaim, 45, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Darmafikri Abu Adam.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Eddy is accused of deceiving a 68-year-old man into signing a Felda Lui Selatan 1 Village Development and Security Committee cheque, supposedly for a RM12,000 payment to a supplier. The payment was purportedly intended as an advance for repair works at the Felda Lui Selatan 1 and 2 Rubber Collection Centres, even though the said supplier had not been appointed to carry out the works.
The alleged offence took place at a bank branch in Bahau on March 16, 2023. Eddy was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a sentence of between one and ten years’ imprisonment, with caning and a fine upon conviction.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Zainab Yahaya proposed that bail be set at RM15,000, with an additional condition requiring Eddy to report monthly to the nearest MACC office until the trial concludes. Eddy, who was unrepresented, appealed for minimal bail, citing financial responsibilities as he is the sole provider for his four school-going children and is currently pursuing further studies.
The court granted bail at RM5,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions. The case has been scheduled for mention on August 14.