SEREMBAN: The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has rejected a representation filed by the son of a former minister to review the charges related to cooking oil subsidy violation.
The status of the representation filed by Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, 39, was disclosed by Nor Alimah Sanusi, who is Deputy public prosecutor from the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry when the case came up for mention before Sessions Court Judge Mazni Nawi today.
Muhammad Faizal is the son of Larut member of Parliament Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
The prosecution also revealed that they have yet to receive the representation from another defendant, Azizul Abdul Halim, 55.
"During the previous proceedings, Azizul's lawyer stated that they would submit a representation letter. However, no submission (of the letter) has been done yet.
"Meanwhile, the representation filed by Muhammad Faisal's lawyer has been rejected and (we) request that the trial date be set," she said.
Previously, lawyers presenting Muhammad Faisal, Nasuha Badruldin and Indran Kumaraguru said they submitted the representation letter on June 28.
Azizul's lawyer, Hasnan Hamzah, meanwhile, informed the Court that they have yet to submit the letter and requested a trial date to facilitate the court proceedings.
The Court then fixed the trial for June 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 next year, and called upon 15 witnesses to provide statements.
It was reported in April this year that two company directors, Muhammad Faisal and Azizul, were charged with nine counts of submitting false documents and possessing cooking oil over the allowed limit.
Both Muhammad Faisal and Azizul, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Muhammad Faisal and Azizul, as directors of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd, which is a wholesale licence holder for a controlled item, namely cooking oil, were accused of providing false information to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry when submitting a document regarding the cooking oil in storage as provided under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
They were alleged to have committed the offence at about 5pm at the ministry's office in Seremban 2 on Aug 12, 2022.
Both were charged under Section 8(4) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 which is punishable under Section 22(2) of the same Act.