M Thiruselvam, 65, and P Selvam, 70, entered their pleas after their charges were read out in separate courts before judges Nasir Nordin and Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud, Sinar Harian reported.

Thiruselvam, a father of four, is accused of using a false invoice dated Nov 15, 2021, to claim payment for consultancy and repair works at the temple, including approval for a new Yaga Salai and fixing leaks at the main temple and other sanctums.

The invoice was said to have been submitted to the temple secretary, V Gopala Krishnan, 64, on Nov 22, 2021.

The charge was framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 465, which carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine or both, upon conviction.

Selvam is accused of abetting Thiruselvam in relation to the same claim, allegedly at the same time and place.

He was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 471, punishable under Section 465, which provides for the same penalties.

The courts granted bail of RM5,000 for Thiruselvam and RM15,000 for Selvam, with one surety each. Case mention for both Thiruselvam and Selvam has been set on May 11.

They were ordered to surrender their passports, report monthly to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC prosecuting officer Arif Asyraf Khairi.

Thiruselvam was represented by lawyer N Lalitha, while Selvam was represented by lawyer M Segaran.