KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has lamented the corruption charge brought against his son, claiming that it is an attempt to tarnish his political reputation.
In a statement today, the Bersatu secretary-general has alleged that charging his son Muhammad Faisal Hamzah with receiving a RM100,000 bribe is also a plot by the unity government to create a negative perception of the party.
“The charge levelled against my son is part of a series of political character assassinations actually aimed at me as the opposition leader.
“I believe that the truth will overcome falsehood and injustice at the end of the day,” Hamzah, who is also Larut MP, said in a statement today.
Earlier today, Faisal pleaded not guilty to accepting a RM100,000 bribe to facilitate the appointment of two companies, Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd and Per My Solutions, as marketing consultants for IT service management company HeiTech Padu.
The charge is connected to HeiTech Padu’s bid for a RM33 million tender from the Companies Commission for various services.
If found guilty under Section 16(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Faisal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine amounting to five times the bribe’s value or RM10,000.
In April, Faisal claimed trial to nine charges related to the alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil at the Seremban sessions court. – June 5, 2024