Former Perlis menteri besar Azlan Man was charged in the Kangar Sessions Court today with five counts of submitting false claims worth more than RM1.18 million between 2013 and 2017.

Azlan, 64, pleaded not guilty to the charges before judge Norsalha Hamzah.

According to the charge sheet, Azlan, in his capacity as Perlis menteri besar at the time, allegedly used several documents containing false particulars to make claims for an overseas holiday in London when there was no such trip.

The documents included invoices and quotations for return air tickets and hotel accommodation issued by Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, and a Perlis state government order form AM 75E allegedly used in making claims for air tickets, hotel accommodation and transport.

The offences were said to have been committed at the Perlis State Secretary’s Office, Kompleks Dewan Undangan Negeri, Persiaran Wawasan between December 2013 and December 2017.

He was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and is liable to punishment under Section 24(2) of the same act.

The section provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the false claims involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Norsalha granted Azlan bail of RM50,000 with one surety for all of the charges and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court.

Azlan was represented by Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid while the prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib.

Akram asked the court to fix mention of the case within the next month, saying Azlan was expected to be slapped with five charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 in a Kuala Lumpur court on Wednesday.

He also suggested that the case at the Kangar Sessions Court be transferred to Kuala Lumpur to facilitate the trial process.

The court then fixed May 12 for mention.

Azlan was the Pauh state assemblyman from 2013 to 2018, before winning the Bintong state seat in 2018. He failed to defend the seat at the last general election in 2022.

He served as Perlis menteri besar from 2013 to 2022.