KUALA LUMPUR (June 5): Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's son has been charged once again. This time, Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, 40, is charged with one count of allegedly accepting bribes amounting to RM100,000 in relation to a multi-million ringgit government contract.

He was charged on Wednesday with allegedly accepting the monies in March 2018 for Heitech Padu Bhd to select two other companies — Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Per My Solutions — as marketing consultants for a RM33 million government tender.

The tender was by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) for the supply, rental, implementation, training, support and maintenance of security infrastructure.

The charge was framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, and is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

Muhammad Faisal faces a maximum 20-year jail term, and a fine of not less than five times the bribe sum or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

He pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob.

The court granted bail at RM25,000, with one surety, and for his passport to be impounded by the court. Muhammad Faisal is also barred from travelling overseas.

Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat prosecuted on Wednesday, while the accused was represented by Ravinder Singh Dhalliwal.

In April last year, Muhammad Faisal was slapped with nine counts of violations in relation to cooking oil subsidies.

He was charged with allegedly providing false information by producing fake invoices on purported sale of the oil, in violation of Section 8(4) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.