Prosecution may call 30 witnesses for Tengku Adnan trial

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution will call about 30 witnesses to testify in the corruption case of former federal territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on Sept 3 at the High Court.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Moha­mad Firdaous Mohamed Idris said that while the exact figures could not be provided yet, as the requirements could change, he estimated between 20 and 30 witnesses.

He told newsmen this after case management proceedings before High Court judge Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali yesterday.

Earlier, Mohamad Firdaous told the court that all documents pertaining to the case had been handed over to the defence as required under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The court fixed Aug 16 for case management to submit witness statements.

In yesterday’s proceedings, Tengku Adnan, clad in a short-sleeved batik shirt, was represented by counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan.

The court had fixed the Putrajaya MP’s trial to run from Sept 3 to Sept 5 and from Sept 10 to Sept 12.On Nov 15, Tengku Adnan pleaded not guilty to a charge of dishonestly receiving for himself RM1mil in gratification from a businessman, Tan Eng Boon, through a Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd that was deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to him.

The gratification was for approving an application by Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) to raise the plot ratio of the site with development at Lot 228, Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

Tengku Adnan was charged with committing the offence at CIMB Bank, Putra World Trade Centre branch, Level 2, Podium Block, Putra World Trade Centre, Jalan Tun Ismail on Dec 27, 2013.

The charge, under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, provides for up to 20 yeas of imprisonment and a fine of no less than five times the amount or value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

Tengku Adnan, who is Umno treasurer, was also charged with receiving for himself RM1mil when he was Minister of Federal Terri­tories, without consideration from Tan through a Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries which was deposited into his account, despite knowing that Tan, a director at Nucleus Properties, was concerned with his official function.He was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code and faces imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both, if found guilty.On Dec 12, Tengku Adnan claimed trial to a second charge of accepting valuables in the sum of RM2mil from Chai Kin Kong, whom he knew had connection with his official function, through a Hong Leong Islamic Bank cheque belonging to Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd which was deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to Tadmansori Holding Sdn Bhd which Tengku Adnan had interest in.

The offence was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank, Pusat Bandar Damansara branch, Level 1, Lot A4, Block A, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, on June 14, 2016. — Bernama