KLANG, 16 March 2009: Former Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel) professor Dr Rustam Abbas pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to using a forged letter on his continuation of service as the university’s deputy vice-chancellor.
Rustam, 51, now Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) lecturer in Shah Alam, was arrested on Friday and appeared in court at 9.30am.
The charge read that he had dishonestly used as genuine a document, namely a letter dated 28 Dec 2006 with the heading “Penyambungan Kontrak Perkhidmatan/Pinjaman Sebagai Timbalan Naib Canselor, Universiti Industri Selangor” which he had reason to believe was a forged document.
The offence was allegedly committed at Unisel Human Resources Division Office, Bestari Jaya Campus, Kuala Selangor, on 12 July 2007.
The charge under Section 471 of the Penal Code is punishable under Section 465 with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both if convicted.
Rustam nodded that he understood the charge read by the court interpreter and claimed trial.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recommended to the court that Rustam be released on RM7,500 bail but lawyer MK Thas suggested that the amount was too high since his client was only a lecturer earning RM5,000 a month.
Although Rustam’s wife was a teacher, they had to support five children, four of whom were at higher learning institutions, said the lawyer, requesting for the bail to be reduced to RM4,000.
He also said Rustam would not run away as he had cooperated with the MACC throughout the investigation.
Judge Slamat Yahya however said the RM7,500 bail recommended by the prosecution was reasonable and fixed 30 April for re-mention.
Rustam, who was accompanied by his wife and another family member, posted the bail. — Bernama
