The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today ordered the appeals of former Sabak Bernam member of parliament and his aide who were convicted and sentenced to six years jail for making false claims, to be reheard by the High Court.

A three-member panel chaired by Court of Appeal President Md Raus Sharif sent back their appeals to the High Court after allowing a preliminary objection raised by their counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

The other two judges were Court of Appeal judges Ahmadi Asnawi and Abdul Rahman Sebli.

Abdul Rahman Bakri, 50, and Rosli Busro, 47, had lost their appeals at the High Court in Shah Alam on Oct 11, 2012 after the court upheld their convictions, which were a six-year jail sentence and RM400,000 fine on eight counts of making false claims involving RM80,000.

Justice Raus set aside the High Court’s decision and ordered the appeals to be heard before another High Court judge.

He said there had been deprivation of their right to be heard and also deprivation of two-tiers of appeal because the High Court did not hear the oral submissions from the defence and prosecution but instead relied on written submissions.

Justice Raus also fixed Feb 2 for the case to be mentioned at the High Court to set the hearing date.

On March 1, 2012, the Sessions Court found Abdul Rahman guilty of making false claims of RM10,000 each for events that never took place when he was the Sungai Air Tawar assemblyperson at the Sabak Bernam District Office between Jan 21 and Feb 12, 2008.

Among the false claims were for the purchase of prizes and souvenirs and organising receptions for motivational programmes for students, People-Friendly Programmes and a Family Day, forum and Prophet Muhammad birthday celebration in his constituency.

Rosli was found guilty of abetting Abdul Rahman in committing the offences.

Both Abdul Rahman and Rosli were being released on bail pending their appeals as they have obtained from the High Court a stay of execution of their sentences.

- Bernama