Nizam Malik, 48, a principal assistant director in the department’s crop industry development division, pleaded not guilty to the charges before judge Suzana Hussin.

He is accused of receiving RM25,700 in two tranches from Zainal Nadzri, 56, the chairman of Koperasi Usahawan Alam Shah Bhd. The two sums, RM8,700 and RM17,000, were allegedly transferred from PJCC Smart Coach Solution’s bank account into Nizam’s account on March 5 and April 10, 2025.

The transactions allegedly took place at a bank at Shaftsbury Putrajaya Avenue.

Nizam is also accused of receiving RM30,500 in cash on nine occasions from Orchidmas Sdn Bhd director Shiz Mohammad Kassim, 44, through one Nis Adira Maris Nazlimaris.

The offences were allegedly committed at Presint 14, Putrajaya, between May 9, 2023 and April 4, 2024.

All 11 charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Safari Abdullah proposed RM20,000 bail for all charges and sought additional conditions for Nizam to surrender his passport, report monthly to the anti-graft agency’s office, and avoid contacting prosecution witnesses.

Defence counsel Ariffin Wahab sought a lower bail amount of RM8,000, saying Nizam was a bankrupt and had been suspended from duty.

Ariffin said his client has five children, three of whom were still at university, and urged the court to consider his long public service.

“The accused has been in service for nearly 25 years and served in several countries like Japan and Germany. Please consider his service to the country,” he said.

The court set bail at RM13,000 with one surety, subject to the additional conditions sought by the prosecution, and fixed June 8 for mention.