SEREMBAN – The son of former minister Hamzah Zainudin will file a representation to the attorney-general regarding the cooking oil subsidy violation charges he faces.
Lawyer Nasuha Badrul Din representing Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, 39, said this before sessions court judge Mazni Nawi when the case was brought for mention today.
The court then set July 12 for next mention.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Syazwani Zawawi told the court that the prosecution had submitted its documents to the defence for further action.
On April 5, Faisal and his business partner Azizul Abdul Halim, 55, pleaded not guilty at the sessions court to nine counts of submitting fake invoices and possessing more than the permitted amount of subsidised cooking oil.
In today’s proceedings, Faisal was not present as he was on sick leave.
According to the charge sheet, the duo, who were both directors of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd, a licenced wholesaler of subsidised cooking oil, were charged with giving false information on documents or invoices for the sale of the controlled item to two retail stores here.
The offences allegedly committed at the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s state office at 5pm on August 12 last year were framed under Section 8(4) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
The company was also charged with submitting false invoices and possession of cooking oil exceeding the 50-tonne limit, in accordance with Regulation 9(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
The offences were allegedly committed at the ministry office and Rimba Merpati business premises at Sinar Andalas Industrial Area, Senawang at 11.15pm on August 11 and at 5pm on August 12, 2022. – Bernama, June 7, 2023
