A former member of Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia has pleaded not guilty to 158 corruption charges involving more than RM98 million in alleged gratification obtained through abuse of power over a five-year period.
Fakhrudin Abd Karim, 57, entered his plea before Sessions Court Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin after all charges were read out in court.
“I claim trial,” Fakhrudin said calmly from the dock.
The proceedings stretched for nearly two hours as court interpreters took turns reading the extensive list of charges. Due to the unusually high number of counts, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecutors requested that only the essential elements of each offence be read out to expedite the process.
Throughout the hearing, Fakhrudin remained composed and listened attentively as the charges were presented. The courtroom gallery was filled with MACC investigators, while his daughter was also present to observe the proceedings.
According to the charges, Fakhrudin allegedly abused his position as an officer of a public body and authorised signatory for a bank account under the Ikram Hulu Selangor branch.
On 149 counts, he is accused of directing funds from the branch’s bank account to a company known as Ehsan Care Solution, allegedly benefiting from transactions amounting to RM81.95 million.
Prosecutors claimed the company was linked to the accused and that the transfers were carried out using his position and authority within the organisation.
In the remaining charges, Fakhrudin allegedly authorised nine separate transfers involving RM16.32 million from the same branch account into two personal bank accounts under his control.
Court documents revealed that the alleged transactions involved substantial sums, including a single transfer worth RM10 million. More than 20 other transactions reportedly involved RM1 million each, while several additional transfers ranged between RM1.5 million and RM2 million.
The alleged offences were said to have taken place between January 6, 2021, and August 6, 2025, at the Ikram Hulu Selangor branch office located at Pusat Perniagaan Adenium in Bukit Beruntung, Rawang.
All charges were framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act for abuse of position for gratification and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same legislation.
If convicted, Fakhrudin faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as well as a fine of no less than five times the value of the alleged gratification or RM10,000, whichever amount is higher.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention due to the large sums involved and the unprecedented number of charges filed against the accused.
