FORMER Perlis menteri besar Azlan Man has been granted a two-month extension to submit representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for a review of five charges of making false claims and five charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi approved the request for an extension made by defence lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid in today’s proceedings.

She set November 10 for mention to update on the progress on the representation.

“All parties need to be prepared to commence trial if there are no developments in the representation by the given date,” Azura was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

Earlier today, deputy public prosecutor Noralis Mat Rasyidah Azmi Kalai told the court the accused had yet to submit his representation letter to the AGC.

Noralis said the prosecution had already provided all documents related to the case to the accused through his lawyer.

Burhanudeen, on the other hand, told the court he had requested an extension to allow the defence to complete the representations.

June 9, Azura approved the prosecution’s request to consolidate and hear the five charges of making false claims facing Azlan, which were filed at the Kangar magistrates’ court, and the five charges of receiving proceeds from money laundering activities (filed at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court) under section 165 of the criminal procedure code.

During the proceedings the defence said it would submit representations to the AGC for a review.

On April 10, Azlan pleaded not guilty to five charges of making false claims for overseas travel expenses totalling RM1.185 million from 2013 to 2017 during his tenure as Perlis menteri besar.

He was found to have falsely claimed entitlement to overseas leave facilities not having taken any trips himself.

These involved airfare to London, United Kingdom and invoices from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.

Azlan was charged with making false statements on expenses for plane tickets, hotel accommodation and transport to London on various dates from December 20, 2013, to January 2, 2014; December 17 to 26, 2014; December 18 to 29, 2015; December 23, 2016, to January 1, 2017; and November 23 to 30, 2017.

These charges are in accordance with section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and are punishable under section 24(2) of the same act, carrying a maximum penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 20 years, a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the false documents, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

On April 12, Azlan was charged in the same Sessions Court with five charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM1.06 million.

Azlan is alleged to have received money amounting to RM1,059,675.25 from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd, Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and its representative Abdul Rahim Halim.

These charges are made under section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and are punishable under section 4(1) of the same act. – September 8, 2023.