Shafiei Ismail, 64, previously with Sri Kedawang Travel & Tour (W) Sdn Bhd (SKTT), made the confirmation during examination by deputy public prosecutor Noralis Mat when he was shown copies of the cheques, dated Feb 14, 2014; Feb 5, 2015; and Jan 20, 2016, made payable to Azlan.

He said the refunds were for trips scheduled in 2013, 2014 and 2015, which had been cancelled.

“I’m not sure of the reasons for the cancellations. Based on the documents, the trips were cancelled, and Azlan submitted a refund claim,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Noralis: You mentioned that there were three refund transactions made to the accused. Could you explain what these refunds were for and why they were issued?

Shafiei: He (Azlan) made the bookings but did not travel, so the money had to be refunded. The senior private secretary to the Perlis menteri besar requested that the payment be made to the passenger’s account, which was Azlan’s.

SKTT director Alimah Omar told the court on Aug 21 last year that she and the company’s general manager, Zulkamar Abu Bakar, signed the three cheques.

Alimah said the refund should have been made to the office of the senior private secretary to the menteri besar.

Azlan’s lawyer, Ramli Shariff, also asked Shafiei whether the senior private secretary had set conditions on the refund, to which Shafiei replied, “no”.

Azlan, 65, faces multiple charges of submitting false claims for overseas trips totalling RM1.18 million.

He is also accused of receiving illegal proceeds amounting to RM1.06 million between Feb 19, 2014, and Dec 2017.

Additionally, he faces five alternative charges of misappropriating RM1.06 million of government funds paid to SKTT, and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.

The trial was adjourned to April 21.