Teo Teck Qing, 26, and Keong Kah Wai, 19, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them before judge Elesabet Paya Wan.

Teo was charged with giving the RM60,000 bribe to Supari Muhamad of the Melaka Tengah police headquarters as an inducement not to take action against him and his friends for alleged fraud.

The offence was allegedly committed in front of 99 Speedmart, Simpang Point Phase II, Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, at about 1.15pm on June 1, 2023.

Keong was charged with abetting Teo in the act at the same time and place.

Teo was charged under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, while Keong was charged under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009 read together with Section 17(b) and Section 24 (1) of the same law.

They face imprisonment of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Elesabet allowed Teo and Keong bail of RM40,000 and RM30,000 respectively with one surety and ordered them to report to the Melaka MACC office once a month and to surrender their passports to the court.

MACC deputy public prosecutor Azriff Firdaus Ali prosecuted while lawyer Umar Zulkarnain represented both the accused.

The court set May 21 for mention.