SHAH ALAM, March 15 ― The Sessions Court here yesterday ordered a diplomatic officer of the Election Commission to enter his defence to a charge of using a false document relating to the supply of vehicles for foreign observers for the 13th general election (GE13), two years ago.
Judge M.Bakri Abd Majid made the decision after finding that the prosecution had proved a prima facie case against Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Ramli, 35.
The court set May 5 for the accused to enter his defence.
Muhammad Firdaus is alleged to have used the false document, an EC letter dated Oct 15, 2012 titled 'Pembekalan Kenderaan Bagi Kegunaan Pemerhati Asing Semasa Pilihanraya Umum ke-13' (Supply of Vehicles for Use by Foreign Observers During GE13) at Restoran Al-Rawsha, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur here at 2pm on Oct 15, 2012.
He is liable to be jailed up to maximum of 20 years and fined, if found guilty.
At the same proceedings, project consultant Fizal Kamarudin @ Fauzi, 34, was acquitted and discharged from a charge of solicting a RM300,000 bribe from the owner of a tour company, two years ago.
Fizal was alleged to have asked for the bribe from Mohd Noor Mukhid by claiming that Muhammad Firdaus could help the company to be appointed as the vehicles' supplier for the foreign observers.
He was alleged to have committed the offence at Restoran Nasi Kandar in Taman Dato' Ahmad Razak, Jalan Kolam Air, Ampang, Hulu Langat, near here at 9.30am on Oct 14 2012.
Fizal and Muhammad Firdaus were also acquitted from another charge, that of jointly receiving an RM80,000 bribe from Mohd Noor to enable the latter's company to get the contract to supply the vehicles at Restoran Al-Rawsha at 1pm on October 17, 2012.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Afifah Yusof conducted the prosecution while Fizal was represented by counsel Geethan Ram Vincent and Muhammad Firdaus by counsel Datuk Salehuddin Saidin. ― Bernama
