PN MP charged with abetting businessperson to get RM400k in bribes

Padang Serai MP Azman Nasrudin has been charged today with abetting a businessperson to receive RM400,000 in bribes for a feedlot project.

According to the charge sheet, Azman (above) had allegedly abetted the crime by ordering Kedah Agro Holding Berhad (KAHB) to issue an offer letter to a businessperson, Hassanaim Fauzi, who paid the bribe.

The bribe was allegedly given to another businessperson, Amar Assuat Abu Bakar, who was also charged with soliciting and receiving a bribe from Hassanaim.

The crime had allegedly occurred over five years ago on June 23, 2020, when Azman was the Kedah exco for agriculture.

Amar was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC for soliciting and taking bribes, while Azman was charged under Section 28(1)(c) for abetting the crime.

Both are liable for up to 20 years in jail and a fine five times the amount of the bribe received.

Azman and Amar pleaded not guilty to the charges at the Shah Alam Sessions Court.

Judge Nasir Nordin set bail at RM75,000 in one surety each.

They are also required to surrender their passport to the court.

‘Charges against Azman defective’

Azman’s lawyer, N Surendran, said he will file an application to the Shah Alam High Court for the charges to be dismissed.

His client will also appeal against the deputy public prosecutor’s request for the confiscation of Azman’s passport.

“After careful consideration, we believe that the charges against Azman are defective, against the law, and against court proceedings. There is no basis for him to be charged.

“So we will fight this till the end. We are going to file an application to the High Court and strike out these charges on the grounds that it is an abuse of process.

“We also disagree with the need for his passport to be surrendered, because it is against proceedings, and there is no justification for this, especially considering that my client is an MP with a good track record,” Surendran said at a press conference outside the courtroom.

He noted that the application would be filed before Azman’s next case mention on Jan 17 next year.

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