KUALA LUMPUR: The tiff between former federal minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and the lead prosecutor in his graft trial involving RM2mil continued as the two got into a heated exchange in the courtroom.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Julia Ibrahim asked Tengku Adnan to explain a part of his witness statement where he said the charges against him were “irrelevant”.
The 69-year-old was visibly irked and lashed out at the prosecutor, accusing her of trying to tarnish his reputation.
“You are trying to tarnish my reputation since day one of this trial. You talk to the press and discriminate against me. This is not fair.
“I was a former minister in the Prime Minister's Department looking after the law. I know where you are going with your line of questions.
“Why are you still charging me if you can drop the same charges against the (former) Finance Minister before, ” he said on Thursday (March 5), referring to Lim Guan Eng, who had corruption charges against him dropped by the Attorney General’s Chambers in late 2018.
DPP Julia replied that Tengku Adnan should direct the question at the Attorney General (AG) instead.
“Wait, there is no AG now. He just resigned, ” Tengku Adnan said in jest.
The former Federal Territories minister also told the court that RM2mil was simply “pocket money” to him.
He said this when he revealed that he did not declare or record any political donation he received as it was not compulsory for him to do so.
“You see, I never asked for any funds from the party president for political activities under my constituency. I find my own way.
“RM2mil is just like my pocket money, ” he added.
DPP Julia: You have your position as Umno treasurer because you are a wealthy businessman and you assisted them (Umno) financially.
Tengku Adnan: Yes.
DPP Julia: I put to you that you used the money for your own purpose.
Tengku Adnan: I disagree.
The hearing continues before Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan this afternoon (March 5).
Tengku Adnan, 69, is taking the stand in his defence trial where he is accused of accepting RM2mil from businessman Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong via a cheque belonging to Aset Kayamas.
The cheque was allegedly deposited into a bank account belonging to Tadmansori Holdings, a company owned by him.
