Former MIC vice-president S Balakrishnan today claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur to a charge of making false claims of more than RM12 million to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) five years ago.

Businessperson Balakrishnan, 63, and his son Ashok Kumar, from Johor, arrived at the Jalan Duta court complex at 8.40am, wearing the orange Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) lock-up T-shirts. They were accompanied by MACC officers.

Balakrishnan was charged with making false claims for 358 geotube dewatering containers costing RM12.888 million when only 89 were supplied.

The purported claim was made at the DID office between April 27, 2012 and Oct 23, 2012. Ashok Kumar was charged with abetting his father.

They claimed trial before Sessions judge Alaudeen Ismail.

The two were represented by lawyers Ashok Athimulan and John Das. MACC deputy public prosecutor S Thangavelu prosecuted.

The purported claim was made at the DID office on Jalan Sultan Salahuddin between April 27, 2012, and Oct 23, 2012. Ashok Kumar was charged with abetting his father, who is a director of Syarikat Sinnayah & Sons Sdn Bhd. Ashok Kumar, 31, was the company's project manager. Syarikat Sinnayah & Sons has since closed down.

Those items were for the Sungai Melaka restoration and rehabilitation project. It is understood that the 89 geotubes that were delivered cost RM3.2 million.

They claimed trial before Sessions judges Alaudeen Ismail and Azura Alwi. The son was brought to Azura's court.

Thangavelu applied for bail to be set at RM1 million, with two sureties and for their the international passports to be held by the court.

However, Ashok Athimulan asked that the bail be lowered as Balakrishnan is suffering from a heart ailment and has a wife and children to support.

Alaudeen allowed bail at RM500,000 with two sureties or that he produces a grant for property worth that amount. A similar order was made by Sessions judge Azura on Ashok Kumar.

Ashok Athimulan produced two grants to post the bails.

Thangavelu applied that the cases be jointly tried before Alaudeen, to which Azura allowed.

Alaudeen fixed Aug 28 for case management.