Chung Siew Kim, 41, an online trader, however, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nurshahirah Abdul Salim.

The woman was charged with stealing cash amounting to RM34,428.45 and two cheques totalling RM575, 100 Thai Baht (RM12) and US$1 (RM4) from the DAP Damansara Service Centre on May 9.

She was charged with committing the offence under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine upon conviction.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Abu Arsalnaa Zainal Abidin suggested bail of RM8,000 and one surety, but Chung’s counsel Mohd Syazwan Mohd Hassan sought a lower amount for the accused on grounds she was self-employed.

The court allowed the accused bail at RM4,000 and one surety and fixed July 9 for mention.