Ahmad Rifqi Zain, 48, made the plea before judge Nasir Nordin after charges were read out, Utusan Malaysia reported.

He was accused of soliciting bribes of RM2,000 on May 24 and RM3,071 on June 2, 2023 in exchange for assisting a company in obtaining a contract to supply and deliver collared shirts, lanyards, mufflers and ziplock bags.

The charge was framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which, upon conviction, provides for imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

MACC prosecutor Aliff Shaharuzaman requested the court to impose bail of RM15,000 with one surety.

He also asked that the accused be ordered to report to the nearest MACC office, surrender his passport and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses until the case is disposed of.

Lawyer Faizi Che Abu, who represented the accused, however, proposed bail of RM5,000, saying that the accused has six children, all of whom are still studying.

The court fixed bail at RM10,000 and impounded the accused’s passport pending disposal of the case.

The judge also set the case for further mention on May 13.