Pekan:Two restaurant workers pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court today to nine counts of criminal breach of trust involving transactions totaling more than RM58,000.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, restaurant manager Siti Norsuzuanie Ali, 29, and assistant manager Muhammad Zulhilmi Ahyauddin, 24, appeared before Judge Sazlina Safie. They are accused of manipulating refund transactions in the system, affecting 1,199 receipts and amounting to RM58,400.30, for personal use without company authorization.

The alleged offenses occurred between 9 am and 10 pm at the Nasi Kukus My Mama restaurant's Pekan branch from January until last month. The charges fall under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a maximum jail term of 14 years, whipping, and possible fines upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Azizah Ahmad suggested a bail of RM30,000 for each accused, with conditions to prevent interference with witnesses, the surrender of their passports, and monthly reporting to the police. However, the defense counsel, Datuk Zaharman Zainal Abidin, requested a lower bail amount.

The court ultimately set the bail at RM9,000 for each accused and agreed to the proposed additional conditions. The case will be mentioned again on November 23.