{
  "id": 14680657,
  "title": "Penang statutory body chief pleads not guilty to 15 graft charges totalling RM800,000",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/penang-statutory-body-chief-pleads-not-guilty-to-15-graft-charges",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:25:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/15/penang-statutory-body-chief-pleads-not-guilty-to-15-graft-charges-totalling-rm800000/239242"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, 53, the chairman of a Penang statutory body, appeared in court not guilty to 15 charges of accepting bribes totaling over RM800,000 between June 2025 and July 2026. Accused of receiving RM847,107.61 from ATSH Management Sdn Bhd (ATSH) director Datuk R. Albert Suresh through his company, Aliran Ilham Sdn Bhd (AISB), the charges allege corrupt inducements for appointing ATSH as a subcontractor in a RM23.27 million hostel project at Institut Kemahiran Tinggi PERDA in Bukit Panchor. The alleged bribes ranged from RM45.51 to RM244,620 and took place at a bank in Jalan Perda Selatan, Bandar Perda, Seberang Perai Tengah. Prosecutors proposed bail of RM1 million with conditions including passport surrender, monthly MACC office reporting, and no interference with prosecution witnesses. Shaik Hussein's legal team contested the bail amount as excessive, while the court granted bail of RM300,000 with monthly MACC office reporting and the option to temporarily release his passport for specific purposes. The trial was set for January 8, 2027.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN, Oct 15 — The chairman of a statutory body in Penang pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here tod...",
  "key_points": [
    "Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, 53, denies 15 graft charges totaling over RM800,000",
    "Accused of receiving RM847,107.61 from ATSH Management Sdn Bhd for hostel project bribery",
    "Bail granted at RM300,000 with conditions including MACC reporting and passport restrictions"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Penang statutory body chief pleads not guilty to 15 graft charges totalling RM800,000",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/penang-statutory-body-chief-pleads-not-guilty-to-15-graft-charges-14682929",
        "published": "2026-10-15T11:25:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}