ARAU: Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli is leaving it to the justice process to take its course after his son was charged at the Kangar Sessions Court today with submitting false claims of RM19,000 to the State Secretary's Office in February.
Shukri said his son, Mohd Syafeeq Mohd Shukri, is only being charged today and has yet to be found guilty by the court.
"This morning, my son was presented to the court to face a charge. I am not sure what the charge is, and we are leaving the rest to the court to try him.
"He has not been found guilty; he is just being charged.
"Let's wait for the court to take its course. I haven't seen him since this morning as we do not live in the same house," he told reporters after the proclamation ceremony of SMK Arau as SMK Syed Hussein by the Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil also graced the ceremony. Present was Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Commenting further, Shukri said he is leaving to the lawyer representing his son to manage the matter.
"I haven't spoken to him (son), I am leaving it to him and his lawyer," he said.
Earlier today, Syafeeq, 35, claimed trial to the charge of submitting false claims for the supply of drinks for the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail worth RM19,505.10 in February.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read before Judge Norsalha Hamzah by the court interpreter.
Mohd Syafeeq is alleged to have submitted a government supply document under the name Mohd Farid Abdul Hamid, worth RM19,505.10, for the supply of drinks to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital, despite knowing that it contained false details on Feb 19, 2024.
The charge was framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
The offence is punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act, which carries maximum 20 years' imprisonment and a fine no less than five times the amount of the false claim or RM10,000 whichever is higher, if found guilty.