FORMER Perlis menteri besar Azlan Man’s false claims case in the Kangar Sessions Court will be heard in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, together with five charges of money laundering.

Judge Azura Alwi made the decision after allowing deputy public prosecutor Zander Lim Wai Keong to transfer all five false claim charges to the Kuala Lumpur court under section 165 of the code of criminal procedure.

“The prosecution has submitted documents related to the case to the defence. We are also asking the court to set a trial date as the defence will make representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (for a review of the charges),” Lim said.

Lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid, representing Azlan, confirmed receiving documents from the prosecution and said the defence team needs time to look into them and seek further instructions on representation.

Earlier, Azlan, 64, maintained his not guilty plea to all five false claim charges, brought under section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which were read out again before Azura, who then fixed September 8 for mention.

On April 10, Azlan claimed trial at the Kangar Sessions Court on five counts of submitting false overseas travel claims, amounting to more than RM1.18 million, between 2013 and 2017.

According to the charge sheet, Azlan, in his capacity as the then Perlis menteri besar, allegedly used several documents containing false particulars to make claims for an overseas holiday in London when there was no such trip.

The documents included invoices and quotations for return air tickets and hotel accommodation, issued by Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, and Perlis government order form AM 75E, which were allegedly used for making claims for air tickets, hotel accommodation and transport.

All the offences were allegedly committed at the Perlis State Secretary’s Office, Kompleks Dewan Undangan Negeri, Persiaran Wawasan, Kangar, between December 2013 and December 2017.

On April 12, Azlan pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to five charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, amounting to RM1.06 million.

The former Bintong assemblyman was charged with committing the offence at the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Maybank branch in Kuala Lumpur, CIMB Bank branch in Putrajaya and Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, between February 19, 2014 and December 2017.

All the charges are framed under section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which is punishable under section 4(1) of the same law. – Bernama, June 9, 2023.