Three more witnesses in the corruption trial involving former Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Mohamad Norza Zakaria and his agent, Halimi Kamaruzzaman, were charged in the Temeroloh Magistrate's Court today with giving false evidence during the trial in the Sessions Court.

They are contractor Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus, 43, school teacher Jalaluddin Johan, 55, and Pahang Special Affairs Department (JASA) information assistant Mohd Sabri Aziz, 45.

The three, however, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Ida Rahayu Sharif.

Jalaluddin's case was fixed for mention on Nov 24, while that of Mohammad Anuar and Mohd Sabri on Nov 29 and 30 simultaneously.

Jalaluddin and Mohd Sabri are charged with giving false evidence at the corruption trial in the Temerloh Sessions Court on May 13, while Mohammad Anuar was charged of committing the same offence on May 12.

Their testimonies were alleged to be not consistent with the statements given to Pahang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the MACC's Temerloh office on Jan 20, 21 and 22 last year.

They are charged under Section 193 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years and fine upon conviction.

Ida Rahayu allowed each of them bail of RM5,000 in one surety each.

Deputy public prosecutor Rashidi Abdul Rahim appeared for the prosecution, while the three of them were represented by lawyer Rosni Zahari.

On May 14, five witnesses in the trial were charged in the same court for committing the same offence.

They are Pahang JASA director Yusof Jamaluddin, 53, two businessmen Nasaruddin Abdullah, 47, and Khadri Musa, 47, Maran JASA information assistant Nor Azhar Abdul Latif, 48, and Prime Minister's Department Felda public relations unit officer Saiful Azman Mokhtar Affendi, 46.

- Bernama