AGC REJECTS EX-HOME MINISTRY OFFICIAL’S BID TO DROP GRAFT CHARGES

KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of former home ministry official Ku Aznal Shahri Ku Abd Hamid, who was charged with 11 counts of submitting over RM6,000 in false claims, will start on Oct 7 in the sessions court.

Judge Rozina Ayob set the date after deputy public prosecutor Shahrom Idris informed the court that the 49-year-old’s representations had been dismissed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“About 24 prosecution witnesses are expected to testify,” Bernama quoted Shahrom as saying.

The court scheduled eight days for the trial from Oct 7 to 10 and Nov 18 to 21.

Ku Aznal Shahri’s lawyer, Tabian Tahir, did not object to the dates and confirmed that his client maintained a plea of not guilty.

“My client is still employed as a civil servant and has not been suspended from duty,” he said.

On March 5, Ku Aznal Shahri, who was serving as the principal assistant secretary of the home ministry’s information technology management division in Putrajaya, was charged with making false claims.

The claims involved the rental of five hotels for RM5,344, travel allowances of RM645.50, and toll payments of RM63.40, all amounting to RM6,052.90.

The offences were allegedly committed at the ministry’s office in Putrajaya between May 2 and Aug 7, 2018.

The charges under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 are punishable by imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

2024-06-11T09:56:36Z dg43tfdfdgfd