Businessman pleads guilty to abetting Ku Nan, fined RM1.5mil

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has sentenced businessman Datuk Tan Eng Boon to a RM1.5mil fine in default of a year in jail for abetting Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor in corruption.

High Court judge Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali passed the sentence after the property developer pleaded guilty to the offence here on Tuesday (Sept 17).

The judge said he took into consideration aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as public interest.

"Firstly, the accused has pleaded guilty before the commencement of trial and this has saved the court's time.

"Secondly, this is his first conviction while thirdly, I've taken into account the facts of the case where the charge is of abetment and the amount involved is RM1mil," he said.

The proportionate sentence in respect of the crime, he said, was a fine of RM1.5mil in default of imprisonment of one year.

"Payment is to be done by tomorrow," the judge added.

Tan, who is currently out on bail, is able to go home today pending the payment of his fine.

The chairman of the Johor Baru-based Joland group of companies is a self-made businessman who started in agricultural activities before expanding his business to include property development and investment, hospitality and warehousing.

Earlier, Tan pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of abetting Tengku Adnan – who was the former Federal Territories Minister – in an offence where Tengku Adnan received for himself a RM1mil cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd from Tan.

The offence was committed at CIMB Bank Bhd, Putra World Trade Centre on Dec 27,2013.

The charge under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 165 of the same Code, provides for a maximum two years in jail or fine or both, upon conviction.