Malaysian Marine Department director-general Mohamad Halim Ahmed was charged in the Sessions Court in Shah Alam today with cheating, resulting in shipping companies bringing heavy-grade oil into Malaysian waters without the approval of the Transport Ministry four years ago.

Halim, 57, who is the former secretary of the Maritime Division at the Transport Ministry, pleaded not guilty to the charge before judge Anita Harun.

He is charged with cheating...