KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 13): Two officers of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a gang-robbery charge over an incident involving a foreigner in the city centre two years ago.

Muhamad Haffiz Mohd Radzi, a 33 year-old investigating officer, and Mohd Fahmee Mohamad Nor, 41, an officer with the anti-graft body's academy, were charged with one count of gang robbery before Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi.

Another former MACC officer, Azwan Asli, was also charged over the same incident in a separate Sessions Court on Wednesday.

They were accused of stealing cash amounting to RM952,690, 1,225 yuan, a silver baggage and a black Louis Vuitton bag on Dec 10, 2021 from the foreigner.

The charge, framed under Section 395 of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment term not extending 20 years and whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Izalina Abdullah said that this is a non-bailable offence, but left it to the court's discretion. She proposed bail of RM30,000 each with one surety. She also asked for additional conditions — for the accused to report to the closest police station once a month, and for their passports to be impounded to the court.

S Ravinchandaran, who appeared for Muhamad Haffiz, and R Vikraman, who appeared for Mohd Fahmee, argued for a lower bail, saying bail should not be a form of punishment, and that the court should consider the surrounding circumstances.

Ravichandran said that his client's monthly salary is only RM3,000, needs to care for his two children aged two and five, and had no prior convictions. The lawyer suggested a bail of RM5,000.

Vikraman, meanwhile, told the court that his client is a single father, who earns about RM3,500 a month and pays RM2,000 in alimony to his ex-wife and children. He suggested a bail of RM4,000.

Izralizam then set bail at RM12,000 with one surety, along with the additional terms proposed by the prosecution. The judge also warned the accused not to harass any potential witnesses.

Meanwhile, Azwan, 38, was charged with the same offence before Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the court set bail at RM10,000 with one surety, and for him to report to the nearest police station. His case was also transferred to Izralizam's court.

The next case management is set for Feb 5 for the prosecution to hand over documents.

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