KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Graftbusters charged a former factory inspector this morning with 21 counts of corruption, including receiving RM341,922 in bribes.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement today former BP Chemicals employee Gauthaman Thangaraju was charged in the Malacca Sessions Court with receiving bribes and money from illegal activities as well as money laundering.

“The accused was charged with receiving bribes worth RM341,922 from interested parties as fees for helping Syarikat Soo Min Inc obtain supply and repair work at BP Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd,” the anti-graft agency said.

The 42-year-old was accused of eight counts of bribery committed in Malacca between February 3, 2006 and January 20, 2007.

Gauthaman faces a fine of up to five times the value of the bribes and up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of the offences under Section 10(a)(aa) of the Corruption Prevention Act and Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act.

He was also accused of receiving RM43,000 as payment for money laundering and using RM95,258.90 gained from illegal activities to pay for the deposit of a Honda Accord 2.4L i-VTEC.

Gauthaman claimed trial to all charges. The court set bail at RM50,000 and seized his passport.

The case will be mentioned again on February 10 so the accused can appoint legal counsel.