KANGAR: Former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man today claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to five counts of charges for submitting false travel claims worth RM1.185 million between 2013 and 2017.
Azlan, 65, entered the plea when the charges were read to him by the court interpreter before Judge Norsalha Hamzah.
He was charged with submitting false claims for accommodation and flight tickets to London, United Kingdom for five years.
Azlan had submitted false claims amounting between RM230,230 and RM253,195 to the Perlis state government for the period of five years, despite not making the travels.
He, however, was entitled for an annual paid holiday overseas when he held the office of the menteri besar.
For the first charge, Azlan is alleged to have used his position to submit an invoice from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd DISRI-0612 dated Dec 11, 2013 comprising of flight ticket, hotel accommodation and transport claims to London dated Dec 20, 2013 to Jan 2, 2014, amounting to RM230,230.
He is alleged to have committed the offence in December 2013 at the Perlis State Secretary (SUK) office in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Persiaran Wawasan here.
For the second charge, Azlan is alleged to have submitted a quotation for a return flight ticket to London with hotel accommodation by Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd dated Nov 20, 2014; a Perlis government purchase order (AM 75E form) Financial Year 2014, order number L140050002274 dated Dec 5, 2014 and dan and invoice from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd number DISRI-1209 dated on Dec 17, 2014 worth amounting to RM216,260 despite not making the trip.
He had committed the offence between Nov 20 and Dec 18, 2014 at the same place.
For the third charge, Azlan is alleged to have submitted a quotation for a return flight ticket to London with hotel accommodation by Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd dated Nov 26, 2015; a Perlis government purchase order (AM 75E form) Financial Year 2015, order number L150050001551 dated Dec 9, 2015 and an invoice from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd number DISRI000009246 dated Dec 21, 2015, amounting to RM241,295.40.
He had committed the offence between Nov 30 and Dec 21, 2014 at the same place,
with the intention to mislead the state government.
As of the fourth charge, Azlan is alleged to have submitted a quotation for return flight ticket to London with hotel accommodation by Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd dated Dec 14, 2016; Perlis government purchasing order (form AM 75E) Financial Year 2016, order number L160050001435 dated Dec 19, 2016 and an invoice from Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd number KL5746 Dec 29, 2016 for a trip to London between Dec 23, 2016 and Jan 1, 2017, amounting to RM253,195.40.
He had committed the offence between Nov 8 and Dec 29, 2016 at the state government building.
As for the fifth charge, Azlan is alleged to have submitted a false quotation for a return flight ticket to London, a hotel accommodation by Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd dated Nov 8, 2017; Perlis state government purchasing order (AM 75-Pin form 1/2015) Financial Year 2017 document number 17ASPT0300790 dated Nov 17, 2017 and an invoice from Aidil Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd number KL6213 dated Nov 30, 2017 for a travel trip of between Nov 23 and 30, 2017, amounting to RM244,079.30.
He is alleged to have committed the alleged offence between Oct 9 and Dec 14, 2017 at the same place.
All charges were framed under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for submitting or certifying a document containing false details.
The offences are punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act which carries jail term of up to 20 years and fine not less than five times the amount of the false claims.
Azlan, who appeared in a light blue shirt and dark blue pants, was a picture of calm as the court interpreter read out the charges towards him.
Earlier, he arrived at the court complex at about 8.15am, accompanied by former Kayang assemblyman Hamizan Hassan and Saiful Daniel Mohd Yusof who is his former press secretary.
Deputy public prosecutor from MACC Putrajaya Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that the prosecution had no objection for the court to offer a bail to the accused.
He proposed the court to impose RM50,000 bail on the accused with one surety and urged the court to order the accused's passport to be surrendered to the court pending the trial.
Lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid who represented Azlan, did not dispute the bail amount offered by the prosecution.
Ahmad Akram also informed the court that Azlan is expected to be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this week under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) in connection with proceeds that he had gained from the alleged false claims.
He added that prosecution was also applying for the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to be heard together with the Amla case.
The court subsequently fixed bail at RM50,000 with one surety and set May 12 for mention.