Former Semenyih assemblyperson Ahamad Kuris Mohd Noor claimed trial to four counts of corruption involving RM200,000 at the Ampang and Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.

ahamad kuris 210109 Last December, the 51-year-old two-term assemblyperson was issued a warning by the Umno disciplinary committee, which had found him guilty of campaigning for a party post via his blogsite.

Initially, he was supposed to be charged on Jan 15 but when he was brought to the Ampang court, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) decided not to charge him.

This was believed to be related to the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu by-election.

Three of the charges were heard at the Ampang Sessions Court and another at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

In Ampang, Ahamad Kuris, was charged with :-

1) Soliciting RM170,000 from contractor Azlan Ahmad Marshid in order for Azlan’s company Ufuk Rata Sdn Bhd to get the tender to build 100 feet (33 metres) of road which is the entry and exit point of Taman Impian Ehsan, Balakong, Cheras. He was alleged to have committed the offence at Ufuk Rata’s office in No 10A, 1st floor Jalan Mesra Niaga, Batu 13, Jalan Cheras at about 11.53am on Feb 26, 2007 when he was still an assemblyperson and Kajang municipal councillor.

2) Receiving RM20,000 from Azlan as gratification to get the project. He allegedly committed the offence at the Umno Hulu Langat division office, 2nd floor Umno Building at Jalan Tuanku Hishamuddin, Kajang at about 12.30pm on May 11, 2007.

3) Receiving an additional RM5,000 from Azlan at the same place at about 12.30pm on Aug 17, 2007.

If found guilty, he could face between 14 days and 20 years in jail, and a fine of five times the value that he had asked or obtained.

Alternatively, he was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property at the same place and time, for the second and third charge.

Under the Penal Code, Ahamad Kuris could face between six months and five years jail, whipping and shall also be liable to fine.

Bail set at RM35,000

MACC's prosecution director, Abdul Razak Musa offered bail at RM50,000 with one surety as the amount was large.

However, Ahamad Kuris' counsel Akbardin Abdul Kader applied that the bail amount be lowered as his client was a former assemblyperson with six children.

“There is not much chance of him absconding bail,” he said, adding that prominent lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah would be representing Ahamad in the trial and that he was here just to help out.

Sessions judge Noradidah Ahmad fixed bail at RM35,000 with one surety. She also fixed March 12 for the case to be mentioned.

At about 12.45pm, Ahamad Kuris was produced at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions court where he claimed trial to receiving RM5,000 from Azlan at Menara Maybank, 100, Jalan Tun Perak on Feb 27, 2007, for payment being made on the sssemblyperson’s Maybank credit card '4842810030237719' for the same project.

He also faces a similar alternative charge under the Penal Code.

Abdul Razak told Sessions Judge Rosbiahananin Arifin that the prosecution was applying for the Kuala Lumpur case to be transferred to Ampang as it involved the same witnesses and matter.

"The prosecution is not applying for bail in this case as the RM35,000 which he had posted at the Ampang Sessions Court was sufficient," said the MACC head of prosecution.

Akbardin, who was assisted by Sarah Abishegam, told Rosbiahananin that the defence had no objection.

Following this, Rosbiahananin ordered the case to be transferred to the Ampang Sessions court where it would be heard on March 12.