KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here today set Sept 3 to hear an application by the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, to stay the corruption proceedings against him pending the outcome of his appeal to transfer the case to the High Court.
Judge Suzana Hussin set the date after Shamsul Iskandar's lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, informed the court that the application had been filed yesterday.
"Given that the application has been filed, I still need to set a date to hear it, but I will place on record that the prosecution does not object to the application," Suzana said.
Earlier, Amer Hamzah told the court that High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin had dismissed the application to transfer the case to the High Court.
He said the defence had subsequently filed an appeal, which is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on Jan 19 next year.
"In light of this, we request that the proceedings in this Sessions Court be stayed until the appeal is resolved. The application could potentially be heard today, given that the prosecution does not object, to save the court's time," he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan informed the court that the prosecution had only just received the application and had no objection to it.
Shamsul Iskandar, 51, faces two charges of agreeing to accept RM140,000 in cash from businessman Tei Jiann Cheing, also known as Albert Tei, as an inducement to assist the latter’s company in obtaining approval for a mineral exploration licence in Sabah.
He also faces two additional charges of obtaining gratification from the same individual, in the form of furniture and electrical appliances worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, respectively, for the same purpose.
The offences were allegedly committed at premises on Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya; a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin here; and Jalan P14A 1/1, Precinct 14, Putrajaya, between Dec 7, 2023, and Jan 31, 2024, as well as between Nov 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.
Shamsul Iskandar was also charged with obtaining RM64,924 in gratification from Tei, which was deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to Rahmalidya Buyong to cover the rental of a house in Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur.
The payment was allegedly made as an inducement to assist Tei’s company in obtaining approval for a mineral exploration licence in Sabah.
All charges were brought under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694) and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act. This section provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the gratification, or RM10,000-whichever is higher-upon conviction.
All the charges were framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694) and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the provision carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. - Bernama
