Duo claim trial to cheating

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men have claimed trial to three charges of fraudulent claims amounting to about RM20mil.

Former oil and gas company director Yong Mee Lan, 54, and former technical officer Ahmad Ashraaf Kamarul Zaman, 29, plea­ded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Madihah Harullah.

The duo were jointly charged with submitting claims for RM6,649,878.11 for works between Jan 23 and Feb 6, 2015; RM7,228,577.38 (between Feb 7 and Feb 21, 2015); and RM6,089,360.40 (between Feb 2 and March 13, 2015), which contained false details on “Operation Day Rate”.

The claims were submitted through a computer system to Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd project leader Saiful Adli Ismail.

The duo allegedly committed the offence at the Petronas Carigali office between March 24 and April 2015. They face a maximum 20 years in jail and fine of no less than five times the amount of bribery or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The court also set bail at RM500,000 in one surety each.