The deputy director of DBKL’s enforcement department, Irwan Abdullah, 44, and enforcement officer Zahari Muhammad, 34, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before judge Anita Harun at the sessions court here today.

On the first charge, they were accused of soliciting a monthly bribe of RM200,000 as an inducement not to take enforcement action against unlicensed entertainment premises under the care of the individual in February.

On the second charge, they were accused of agreeing to receive a monthly bribe of RM160,000 as an inducement not to take enforcement action against the unlicensed entertainment premises, also in February.

The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) by up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Separately, Irwan was charged with accepting a bribe of RM130,000 from the same individual at a restaurant in Puchong on June 5.

If found guilty, he faces the same penalties of imprisonment and fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Aliff Shaharuzaman appeared for the prosecution. Lawyer Mak Kah Keong represented Irwan, and Ahmad Faiz Munawar represented Zahari.

The court granted bail of RM15,000 to each of the accused and ordered them to surrender their passports.

They are also required to report to the MACC office in Kuala Lumpur once a month until the case is disposed of.

The court set Sept 30 for re-mention.