Malaysian senior tourism official charged with corruption

Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, head of Malaysia's Tourism Promotion Board, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to accepting free dental treatment worth almost 14,000 ringgit (4,200 dollars), from a company that he allegedly gave contracts to, the Star daily reported.

 Mirza, who faces a two-year jail sentence if found guilty, was released on 5,000 ringgit (1,500 dollars) bail. The court set February 16 for a hearing.

 Last month, the Anti-Corruption Agency arrested the immigration department's director and deputy director for allegedly receiving money to issue and extend visas for foreign workers.

 Investigations are still ongoing, and the two have not been charged.

 Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had pledged to clamp down on the country's widespread corruption when he came into power in 2003, but critics said the recent cases are merely the tip of the iceberg and claim that many other guilty senior officers in government departments remain free.//dpa