Businessman charged with bribing ex-minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk Tan Eng Boon was charged at the Sessions Court here for allegedly bribing and abetting former federal territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The company director pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before judge Azura Alwi.

Clad in a grey suit and black trousers, Tan was calm during the entire proceeding which started at 2.45pm.

Tan, 70, was charged with giving a bribe to former Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, 68, in the sum of RM1 million though a Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd which was deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to Tengku Adnan.

Tan was alleged to have given the bribe as an inducement to Tengku Adnan for approving an application by Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development) to raise the ratio plot for development at Lot 228, Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

The offence was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Bhd, Putra World Trade Centre branch, Level 2, Podium Block, Putra World Trade Centre, Jalan Tun Ismail here on Dec 27, 2013.

He was charged under Section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and faces an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

Tan was also charged with abetting Tengku Adnan to accept RM1 million from him through a Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd.