Padang Serai MP pleads not guilty to corruption charge in Kedah cattle project

PADANG Serai Member of Parliament Datuk Azman Nasrudin pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam Sessions Court today to charges of abetting corruption involving a Kedah state-owned cattle farming joint venture.

The 53-year-old lawmaker faced the charge under Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act for allegedly abetting corruption involving RM400,000 at Section 9, Bandar Baru Bangi, on June 23, 2020.

A conviction under the Act carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Azman arrived at the court complex at approximately 8am, dressed in a blue shirt and grey blazer, and was seen conferring with his lawyer, N. Surendran, and other associates.

Security around the complex was significantly heightened, with MACC officers stationed throughout and public access restricted.

The MP is expected to be joined in court by a businessman, who will face charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act for soliciting and receiving bribes in connection with the same cattle feedlot project.

Sources indicated the businessman had already entered the court through a back entrance.

Azman was arrested in Kedah last Friday and subsequently released on MACC bail.

According to MACC sources, the investigation, launched in February, centred on allegations that he received approximately RM400,000 in exchange for facilitating land-use rights for the Kedah government’s cattle farming venture.

Azman has questioned the MACC’s decision to alter his status from witness to accused, describing the move as politically motivated.

He explained that he was initially called to the Kedah MACC office on March 25 to provide assistance as a witness in the probe and was later summoned on Thursday morning to meet MACC officers at the Sungai Buloh northbound rest and relax area before being taken to the MACC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Investigators confirmed that a complaint had been lodged on February 10, and statements from 15 witnesses had been recorded as part of the inquiry. The court proceedings are expected to continue as authorities pursue the case. - December 8, 2025