Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to two counts of corruption involving the receipt of RM3 million to facilitate land deals during his tenure as the Federal Territories Minister.

He claimed trial to receiving a RM1 million bribe from property developer Datuk Tan Eng Boon via a cheque issued by Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd and deposited into his personal account.

He allegedly committed the offence on Dec 27, 2013 as an inducement to approve an application by Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) to increase the industrial plot ratio relating to development at Jalan Semarak.

If found guilty of the charge under the Section 16(a)(A) Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, the former minister can be jailed a maximum of 20 years and fined RM10,000 or not less than five times the value of the gratification, whichever is higher.

The first charge also carries an alternative charge, which entails Tengku Adnan of receiving the sum from Tan with no strings attached during his tenure as federal territories minister, despite having the knowledge that he had official dealings with Nucleus Properties at the time.

Under the second charge, Tengku Adnan is accused of receiving RM2 million via his company Tadmansori Holding Sdn Bhd with no strings attached, from a Chai Kin Kong via a cheque issued by Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd despite possessing the knowledge that he had official dealings with Aset Kayamas at the time.

He was accused of committing the crime on June 14, 2016.

The alternative charge and the second charge were read under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine, or both.

The charges were read in front of judge Azman Ahmad, who granted bail of RM1 million and set Dec 12 for the case to be mentioned again.

Tengku Adnan is being defended by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Datuk Satharuban Sivasubramaniam, Quek Ming Sen and Kee Shu Min.

The prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar and Mohd Muhkzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar.

Tengku Adnan is the third cabinet minister from the previous Barisan Nasional government to be dragged to court over graft-related offences.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is currently facing 38 charges for breach of trust, bribery, abuse of power and money laundering involving a total sum of RM9.5 billion.

On Nov 5, former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman also claimed trial to 35 graft charges involving the receipt of receiving US$63.29 million in exchange for logging contracts.

Separately, Datuk Tan Eng Boon was charged in a separate court today with paying the RM1 million bribe to Tengku Adnan in 2013.

His charge also falls under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. Tan pleaded not guilty in front of justice Azura Alwi.

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