KUALA LUMPUR – Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin today pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetting corruption in a Kedah state-owned cattle farming project.
The 53-year-old claimed trial after the charge against him under Section 28(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act was read before Judge Nasir Nordin at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, reported the New Straits Times (NST).
According to the charge sheet, Azman is accused of abetting businessman Amar Assuat Abu Bakar in receiving a RM400,000 bribe from a contractor as a reward for helping the latter secure the Feedlot Beef Cattle Project at Kedah Agro’s feedlot farm in Kubang Pasu from Kedah Agro Holding Bhd (KAHB).
The money was allegedly an inducement for Azman to facilitate the deal by directing the KAHB chief executive officer to issue an offer letter to the contractor.
The charge was framed under Section 28(1) of the MACC Act, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Azman arrived at the court complex around 8am, accompanied by his lawyer N. Surendran. Security at the court complex was tight, with MACC officers stationed around the complex, and the main entrance restricted to only those with official court business, said the report.
The court set RM75,000 bail with one surety and ordered Azman to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case.
Meanwhile, Azman is set to file a challenge against his corruption charge at the High Court, citing an alleged abuse of the criminal proceeding process.
His lawyer Surendran said the defence intends to file a preliminary objection before the next mention date.– December 8, 2025