Witness M Theenmoly says Azlan Man claimed the funds paid by the state government for bookings that he had instructed two travel agencies to cancel.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior superintendent M Theenmoly, 41, said a probe found that Azlan – through Herwardy Hashim, who was his senior private secretary at the time – had instructed travel agencies Sri Kedawang Travel & Tour (W) Sdn Bhd (SKTT) and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd to cancel the bookings.
“Azlan then claimed the money paid by the Perlis government, which was deposited into his bank account,” Bernama reported her as saying during Azlan’s trial.
The former menteri besar faces 10 charges of submitting false claims and receiving proceeds from illegal activities.
The 20th prosecution witness said that, acting on Azlan’s instructions, the two travel agencies deposited RM1.06 million from the cancelled trips into his bank account via four cheques and cash between Feb 14, 2014, and Jan 24, 2017.
“My investigation was based on documentary evidence such as local orders, bank statements and witness testimonies. I found evidence that Azlan received money from illegal activities, namely the cancellation of overseas travel packages,” she said.
Theenmoly said testimony from then Perlis executive council secretary Norazlan Yahya showed no documents were presented to obtain approval to convert Azlan’s overseas leave facilities into cash for the years 2013 to 2017.
“Based on my investigation, Azlan could not opt for cash payments for overseas leave facilities and hotel accommodations for the years 2013 to 2017,” she said.
Responding to deputy public prosecutor Haresh Prakash Somiah’s questions on how the non-existent trips were verified, the witness said the information was obtained from the travel agencies involved in the matter.
Theenmoly said the agencies reported that the accused cancelled confirmed trips under the pretext of managing the travel himself, while requesting the funds be deposited into his personal account.
“The travel agencies also confirmed that no tickets were purchased for Azlan’s overseas vacation claims for 2014 to 2017,” said Theenmoly, who now serves as an investigating officer at the youth and sports ministry’s integrity unit.
When questioned by lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid, representing Azlan, Theenmoly explained that there was no need to investigate Azlan’s passport as the case had already been solidified by leave applications, local orders, quotations and invoices.
Azlan, 67, faces five charges related to false claims for overseas leave facilities totalling over RM1.18 million, allegedly committed at the Perlis state secretariat office between December 2013 and December 2017.
These claims involved flight ticket quotations to London in the United Kingdom, as well as invoices from SKTT and Aidil Travel & Tours.
He also faces five charges of receiving RM1.06 million in proceeds from illegal activities between Feb 19, 2014, and December 2017 at various locations, including Maybank’s Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman branch, CIMB Bank’s Putrajaya branch and the Sheraton Imperial Hotel.
Additionally, Azlan faces five alternative charges of misappropriating RM1.06 million belonging to the Perlis government, paid to SKTT and Aidil Travel & Tours.
The trial before judge Azura Alwi will resume on June 19. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.