Defence wraps up case

KUALA LUMPUR: The defence yesterday closed its case in the trial of former federal territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who is charged with receiving RM2 million from a property developer, four years ago.

High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set Aug 14 as the deadline for parties to submit their written submissions and Sept 4 to file in reply submissions.

The date for oral clarification is set for Sept 11.

Tengku Adnan, 69, is facing a charge of accepting a RM2 million bribe from Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong via a cheque belonging to property developer company, which was deposited into a bank account in the name of Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is owned by the accused.

The Umno treasurer was accused of committing the offence at CIMB Bank Berhad, Pusat Bandar Damansara Branch here, on June 14, 2016.

The offence, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, carries up to two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The 16-day trial, which began on July 2, saw 23 prosecution and four defence witnesses, including the accused, taking the stand.

The prosecution had called, among others, two former Kuala Lumpur mayors — Tan Sri Ahmad Phesal Talib and Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz — and Chai to testify.

On Oct 14, last year, the court ordered Tengku Adnan to enter his defence after the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case.

The defence stage began with the Putrajaya member of parliament testifying as the first defence witness from Jan 17 to March 5.

Earlier, final defence witness, Datuk Zakaria Dullah, who is the Simpang Renggam Umno chief, testified that Tengku Adnan had given him RM1,007,600 to handle campaigns for the by-elections in Sungai Besar, Selangor and Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

He said he was appointed by Tengku Adnan as the youth volunteer coordinator for Barisan Nasional and Umno in 2011 to organise and handle activities to help the community.

“In June 2016, I was involved in the by-election in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar to run volunteer programmes such as giving tuition, conduct seminars and sports activities,” he said.

He also testified that besides the RM1,007,600, Tengku Adnan had also given him RM40,000 for his personal expenses as the coordinator for both by-elections.

Counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan represented Tengku Adnan while deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim led the prosecution team.