Yeow Chin Chai, 43, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before judge Elesabet Paya Wan, Berita Harian reported.

Yeow was charged with using a false invoice under the name of Shahz Titah Bumi Enterprise, dated Sept 18, 2023, for the supply of a marquee tent and platform worth RM24,000 for the Melaka Mount Ophir Ultra Trail 2023 programme, when no such tent was supplied to the ministry’s Melaka office.

The offence was allegedly committed at his office between Sept 18 and Oct 10, 2023.

He was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act, which provides for up to 20 years’ jail and a fine no more than five times the value of the false claim or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

MACC deputy public prosecutors Sharina Farhana Nor Sa’ari and Fatin Nur Athirah Zainudin offered bail of RM25,000 on condition that he report to the Melaka MACC office once a month and surrender his passport to the court.

Lawyer Fadly Hashim requested a reasonable bail amount as Yeow has four children aged 11, 10, eight, and 11 months, as well as parents with high blood pressure and cholesterol who require treatment at a government hospital.

The court set bail at RM10,000 and granted the conditions requested by the prosecution. It set April 22 for re-mention of the case and the handover of documents.