Zaimi Sham Mahmood, 50, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out by judge Zulhazmi Abdullah, Bernama reported.

The charge was framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 10 years in prison, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

According to the charge sheet, Zaimi, misled K Sivapragasam, 45, by convincing him that his appeal to the compound appeal committee at the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya had been rejected.

The accused subsequently offered his assistance to reduce the compound rate for Sivapragasam’s offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Zaimi was also accused of cheating the victim into handing over RM3,000.

The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Persiaran Bayan Indah, Barat Daya District, between 5.35pm and 5.50pm on May 13, 2022.

The court set May 29 for case re-mention and granted Zaimi bail of RM8,000 with one surety.

Zaimi was also told to surrender his passport until the case is resolved and report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office every month.

Deputy public prosecutor Afiqa Liyana Rozman prosecuted while Zaimi was represented by V Parthipan.

Earlier during the proceedings, Parthipan asked the court to set a reasonable bail amount, saying Zaimi has to support his wife and four children who are still in school, with a monthly income of around RM2,000.

Parthipan said his client had been working with the government department since 2002.