THE son of a former minister will file a representation to the attorney-general over the cooking oil subsidy violation charges he faces. 

Lawyer Nasuha Badrul Din, who represents Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, 39, son of former home minister Hamzah Zainudin, said this before Sessions Court judge Mazni Nawi when the case was brought for mention today. 

The court set July 12 for next mention. 

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Syazwani Zawawi told the court the prosecution had submitted their documents to the defence for further action.

On April 5, Faisal and his business partner Azizul Abdul Halim, 55, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court to nine counts of submitting fake invoices and possessing more than the permitted amount of subsidised cooking oil.

In today’s proceedings, Faisal was not present as he was on sick leave.

The charge sheet said the duo, both directors of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd, a licensed wholesaler of subsidised cooking oil, were charged with giving false information on documents or invoices for the sale of the controlled item to two retail stores in Seremban.

They allegedly committed the offence at the state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry office at 5pm on August 12 last year.

The charge was framed under section 8(4) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

The company was also charged with submitting false invoices and possession of cooking oil exceeding the 50-tonne limit, in accordance with regulation 9(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

The offences were allegedly committed at the ministry state office and Rimba Merpati premises at Sinar Andalas Industrial Area, Senawang, at 11.15pm on August 11 and at 5pm on August 12, 2022. – Bernama, June 7, 2023.