Two Wisma Putra officers on trial for making false claims
Busted: Shahril (left) and Mohd Hadtamizi (right) making their way out of court.
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KUALA LUMPUR: Two Foreign Ministry officers have claimed trial to allegations of making false claims amounting to US$126,681 (RM414,664) during their attachment to the Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC, the United States two years ago.
Deputy chief of mission Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, 48, was accused of using two documents containing fake details with the intention to deceive the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States.
The two documents in question were an expenditure statement incurred during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii dated between Nov 3 and 16, 2011 as well as an official receipt from Aloha Way Transportation dated Nov 3, 2011, bearing the amount US$126,681.
Shahril allegedly knew the details were false but admitted that the amount was paid to Aloha Way as a deposit for vehicle rental when the actual amount was only US$88,500 (RM289,478).
The offence was allegedly committed at the embassy office in Washington on Dec 8, 2011.
Shahril was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
Shahril’s 47-year-old colleague, assistant administrative officer Mohd Hadtamizi Abu Bakar was accused of abetting him at the same place and time.
The two pleaded not guilty to the offences at a Sessions Court here.
They face up to 20 years in jail and a fine five times the value of the false particular or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
DPP Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah offered bail at RM40,000 each but lawyers Shamsul Sulaiman (representing Shahril) and Ridha Abdah Subri (representing Mohd Hadtamizi) asked for a lower amount on the grounds that the accused were supporting their families and had children who were still studying in the United States.
Judge Rosbiahanin Arifin fixed bail at RM30,000 with one surety each and ordered their passports to be surrendered to the court. The case is set for mention on Feb 10.
Shahril and Mohd Hadtamizi posted b
