Rosdi Pilus, 50, who holds the position of grade S44 officer, entered the plea before judge Darmafikri Abu Adam.

Rosdi was accused of processing a payment voucher worth RM19,000 for accommodation and refreshments related to a packaging design and product labelling technology course in 2021.

The contract was allegedly awarded to MAAR Diversified Enterprise, a company owned by his 51-year-old wife.

He also faces a second charge of approving a RM5,000 payment to the same company for services provided during the 2022 National Sports Day programme at the state level.

The offences were allegedly committed at the department’s office on Nov 18, 2021 and Feb 23, 2022, respectively.

Rosdi was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

MACC prosecuting officer Zainab Yahaya asked the court to set bail at RM15,000 for both charges.

However, Rosdi’s lawyer, Wajih Zakwan Hanif, appealed for a lower amount, citing financial constraints and arguing that his client was not a flight risk and had fully cooperated with MACC’s investigators.

Darmafikri set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed July 7 for case mention.