Kosmo reported that Abdul Aziz Harun, a businessman who ran for the seat in the 2022 Johor elections, made the plea in the Johor Bahru sessions court today after the charges were read against him before judge Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.

Aziz is accused of dishonestly misusing funds belonging to the Johor Bahru Drug Rehabilitation Committee, which he chaired at the time.

The offences were allegedly committed at a bank in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya between Oct 9, 2020 and Dec 31, 2021.

Aziz was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code with the dishonest misappropriation of property, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Siti Asmah Zainal Ariffin, while Aziz was represented by Rafique Rashid Ali.

The prosecution proposed bail of RM15,000 for all three charges with one surety, but Rafique requested a lower amount of RM10,000.

“My client’s business is not doing well at the moment, and he is also responsible for three children who are still in school.

“He also cooperated well on the 17 occasions he was summoned to aid the investigation,” he said.

According to the report, the association in question has been dissolved and Aziz currently has no political party position.

The court allowed bail of RM10,000 with one surety and set May 28 for remention of the case and the handover of documents.