By M. Mageswari

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, whose brother's company obtained overseas projects from the agency, has been charged with wrongfully accepting a sponsored dental treatment from the firm.

Under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Mirza as a public servant should not have accepted the sponsorship as the company has direct business dealings with his official duty in Tourism Malaysia.

Mirza, 50, pleaded not guilty in a Sessions Court here yesterday to accepting a sponsored dental implant treatment worth RM13,860 from his brother's partner in the consultancy company.

He is alleged to have received the sponsorship from Perunding Pakar Media Sdn Bhd's director Zulhisyam Ayob, 48, without consideration.

The company allegedly got advertising projects in North America and Canada from Tourism Malaysia.

Mirza, who was then Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board's deputy director-general I, was said to have sought the molar implant treatment at Clinical Practice Prosthodontics Sdn Bhd (CPP) via a cheque issued to him.

He was accused of committing the offence at the clinic's premises in Taman Tun Dr Ismail here between Jan 17, 2005, and July 26, 2005.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to two years, or fined or both under Section 165 of the Penal Code for obtaining valuable items without consideration from a person who has connection to his official functions.

An Anti-Corruption Agency's investigation unit official lodged the complaint against him on May 6.

When his case was called up at 11.15am yesterday, a pensive-looking Mirza was escorted by ACA officers before he entered the dock.

He listened attentively to the content of his charge as a court interpreter read it to him.

Mirza, who was picked up from his Putrajaya house at about 7am, immediately recorded his not guilty plea.

DPP Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah asked the court to set bail at RM20,000 in one surety, saying that it was in view of the amount involved and the high position held by him.

Pleading for lower bail, his lawyer Manmohan Kang asked the court to consider the fact that his client had worked with the board for 23 years.

"Since the investigation started in April, the accused had given 110% co-operation to each ACA officer who handled the case."

Manmohan said his client, who is married with three children, should be released on a personal bond without a surety pending his trial.

Sessions Court judge Fathiyah Idris set bail at RM5,000 in one surety and three days from Feb 16 for hearing. Mirza posted bail.

DPP Mohd Asnawi told The Star that the accused did not face a bribery charge as "it is not in the form of monetary gain or favour but for allegedly obtaining valuable thing without consideration."

In an immediate response to the prosecution of Mirza, Tourism Malaysia employees union chairman Said Zulkifli Said Ahmad issued a statement stating the union's support for Mirza.