Bekas Timbalan Pengarah MCMC Didakwa Terima Rasuah RM87,000

Ex-MCMC Deputy Director Charged with Receiving RM87,000 in Bribes

Verified Media Coverage of This Case

This matter was reported by multiple reputable news organisations in Malaysia. All the articles below refer to the same criminal prosecution in which Sivahnanthan Ragava appeared as defence counsel for the accused person.

For transparency and public verification, the original reports can be accessed here:

• Malaysiakini — Ex-MCMC deputy director ordered to enter defence on bribery charges
  https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/504199

• Komunikasi.gov.my — Court orders MCMC deputy director to enter defence on bribery charges
  https://www.komunikasi.gov.my/awam/berita/19538-court-orders-mcmc-deputy-director-to-enter-defence-on-bribery-charges

• Malay Mail — Ex-MCMC deputy director claims trial to RM87,000 in bribes
  https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/12/19/ex-mcmc-deputy-director-claims-trial-to-rm87000-in-bribes/1820579

• Bernama (English) — [Report on former MCMC deputy director bribery trial]
  https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1918950

• Sinar Harian — Timbalan Pengarah MCMC tak mengaku terima rasuah RM87,000
  https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/62541/berita/mahkamah/timbalan-pengarah-mcmc-tak-mengaku-terima-rasuah-rm87000

• Malaysia Gazette — Bekas Timbalan Pengarah SKMM mengaku tidak bersalah terima rasuah
  https://malaysiagazette.com/2019/12/19/bekas-timbalan-pengarah-skmm-mengaku-tidak-bersalah-terima-rasuah/

• Harian Metro — Timbalan Pengarah MCMC didakwa rasuah
  https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2019/12/527635/timbalan-pengarah-mcmc-didakwa-rasuah

• Free Malaysia Today — Ex-MCMC deputy director charged with receiving RM87,000 in bribes
  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/12/19/ex-mcmc-deputy-director-charged-with-receiving-rm87000-in-bribes

Case Synopsis

(Sessions Court — December 2019)

In December 2019, the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur heard charges against a former Deputy Director of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) who was accused of accepting bribes totalling RM87,000 in connection with his official duties.

The accused was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which deals with public servants unlawfully receiving gratification for actions connected with their official functions. The allegations centred on payments purportedly made in exchange for favourable treatment relating to official matters.

At his initial court appearance, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the bribery charges. During subsequent proceedings, the Court — after considering the prosecution’s prima facie evidence — ordered the accused to enter his defence, signalling that the evidence tendered by the prosecution was sufficient to warrant a trial on the merits.

Throughout these stages of the prosecution, Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava of Chambers of Sivahnanthan Ragavaappeared for the defendant, representing the accused in all matters relating to bail, case management, and pre-trial hearings.

This matter involved complex issues pertaining to:

• the standard of proof required in bribery cases involving public officials,

• the conduct of defence following an order to enter defence,

• and constitutional safeguards afforded to persons facing criminal allegations.

Significance of the Proceedings

This case exemplifies several key principles in Malaysian criminal law:

• Presumption of innocence: An accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

• Entry of defence: A court-ordered entry of defence signifies that the prosecution’s case has crossed the threshold of a prima facie case, necessitating response from the defence.

• Rule of law: Even high-ranking public officials are subject to the same legal standards and judicial process as any other accused.

The handling of this case demonstrates the role of robust legal representation in ensuring procedural fairness and due process during criminal prosecutions.