Prosecution applies to transfer case involving trader, Tengku Nan to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the case of a businessman charged with giving bribe of RM1 million to former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor will file an application to transfer the case, which is at the Sessions Court, to the High Court here.

Deputy public prosecutor Lailawati Ali informed the Sessions Court here when the case, involving Datuk Tan Eng Boon, came up for mention before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi yesterday.

“The prosecution will apply for the case to be transferred to the High Court and wil also file an application for it to be jointly tried with a case facing Tengku Adnan as both cases involve the same issue and transaction,” she said.

She also informed the court that the case involving Tengku Adnan had been transferred to the High Court here after judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, had on Friday, allowed an application by the Putrajaya Member of Parliament on the matter.

Meanwhile, lawyer Cheow Wee, representing Tan, said the defence had taken note of the latest development and requested to be given to be given time to obtain further instruction from their client.

Following which, Azura set Jan 7 for mention to know the latest development on the matter.

Last Nov 15, Tan, 70, who is a company director, pleaded not guilty to a charge with offering bribe in the form 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 Sdn. Bhd) to raise the ratio plot for development at Lot 228, Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

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

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