A state level MIC leader in Johor was today charged with corruption for allegedly making a false claim for an air-conditioner unit worth RM3,500.

soorianarayanan mic johor M Soorianarayanan, 61, however pleaded not guilty at the Johor Baru Sessions Court. He has been released on a RM5,000 bail.

Judge Zainal Rashid Hussain fixed Sept 23 for re-mention of the case.

The case which Soorianarayanan faces was among a reason for him to be dropped from being a candidate for the Tenggaroh state seat in Johor in the March 8 general election.

He was party president S Samy Vellu's first choice to contest for the seat but was replaced at the very last minute by MIC Johor Wanita chief T Murukasvary. She was only a handful of MIC candidates to have won the elections.

Back in the courtroom today, Soorianarayanan, of Puteri Wangsa MIC, was charged with making a false claim for an air-conditioner unit worth RM3,500 at MIC office, No. 17A, Jalan Beladau 26, Puteri Wangsa, Ulu Tiram, on Oct 19, 2005.

The charge sheet stated that he, as a party agent, had confirmed the acceptance of the appliance supplied through government allocations with intent to deceive the Johor government when in fact the air-conditioner had not been supplied and installed.

He was charged under Section 11(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 which is punishable with a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the value the gratification or RM10,000 whichever is higher.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri of the Anti-Corruption Agency prosecuted while Vijaya Sandran represented Soorianarayanan.