KANGAR: Former Perlis mentri besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man will now face five counts of submitting false claims amounting to RM1.185mil for his trip to England from 2013 to 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
Kangar Sessions Court judge Norsalha Hamzah allowed the prosecution’s application to transfer the case to Kuala Lumpur Sessions Courts on the grounds that the case could be heard together with another five charges of money-laundering.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Rehab Abdul Shukur said the witnesses and the investigations of the case were the same, and it would be easier to hear it in Kuala Lumpur.
Norsalha fixed June 9 for mention of the case in Kuala Lumpur.
The accused was represented by Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid and Ramli Shariff.
Earlier, Azlan, 65, arrived at the Kangar courthouse at about 9am, accompanied by his supporters.
On April 10, Azlan was charged with submitting false claims amounting to RM1.185mil for his trip to England from 2013 to 2017.
The charges were framed under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
The offence, punishable under Section 24 of the same law, provides for imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Azlan was then charged with a further five charges of receiving proceeds from illegal activity amounting to RM1.06mil.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
If convicted, Azlan faces a maximum of 15 years in jail and a fine of at least five times the amount of gratification, or RM5mil, whichever is higher.
