BUKIT MERTAJAM: A couple was jointly charged at the Magistrate's Court here today with two counts of using fake documents to cross state lines during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) last month.
Factory engineer Ahmad Aizuddin Abd Mokhti and his accountant wife Nur Farah Aina Muslim, both 30, claimed trial when the charges were read to them before Magistrate Shamshol Azwa Martadza.
On the first count, both were alleged to have used a forged doctor's memo as genuine at the Juru Toll Plaza (northbound) at about 3.30am on Hari Raya eve (May 23).
On the second count, they were also alleged to have used a forged Movement Control exemption permit at the same place, time and date.
For both offences, they were charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code, an offence punishable under Section 465 of the same Code, which carries maximum two years' imprisonment or shall also be liable to a fine or both upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim urged the court to set bail at RM12,000 for each of the accused.
The couple, through their counsel Chiang Kian Hong, appealed for lower bail.
"My clients have cooperated throughout the course of investigation. Although they are from Selangor, they did not run away.
"Also, both my clients have to care for their disabled parents," he said.
Shamshol Azwa then set bail at RM8,000 each and fixed June 22 for mention.
According to the police report, a team of police manning the roadblock at the Juru Toll Plaza had stopped a Proton Saga for checks at 3.30am on Hari Raya eve.
The police team had asked the couple inside the car the reason for their travel.
The driver then handed the police team three papers to show that they had approval to travel back to Penang from Kajang in Selangor.
Upon checking, the police found the papers to be confusing due to the differences in dates.