A former chief executive officer of TH Heavy Engineering Bhd, which is a Tabung Haji subsidiary, was charged in the Sessions Court here today with five counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT), involving more than RM2.5 million.

Datuk Nor Badli Munawir Mohamad Alias Lafti, 51, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to all the charges before Judge Madihah Harullah.

He was charged, in his capacity as the CEO of the company who was trusted with five Maybank cheques, for the amount of RM400,000; RM570,000; RM430,000; RM600,000 and RM575,800, respectively, with committing CBT of the cheques.

The offences were allegedly committed at the office of THHE Fabricators Sdn Bhd, 23rd Floor, Tower B, Menara UOA Bangsar, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, here between April and October 2013.

The charge, under Section 409 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years, and with whipping, and is liable to fine, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor S.Thangavelu, who prosecuted, offered bail of RM2.5 million on all charges, but lawyer Kitson Foong, representing Nor Badli Munawir, requested for a lower bail, saying that his client, who has six children, was not a 'flight risk'.

The court then set bail at RM400,000 in one surety for all charges, and also ordered Nor Badli Munawir, to surrender his passport.

The court also set March 15 for mention. -- Bernama