SURELY RM3 MILLION IS PEANUTS TO KU NAN: AS FOCUS TURNS TO THE MEN WHO ‘BRIBED’ HIM, EXPECTATIONS RUN HIGH MACC WILL SOON SLAP MORE CHARGES ON ‘BILLIONAIRE POLITICIAN’ KU NAN

TENGKU Adnan Tengku Mansor’s name has been linked to 97 dodgy deals but only two property developers were identified as having bribed the former federal territories minister to secure big projects.The former Umno secretary-general, also known as Ku Nan, was yesterday charged with accepting bribes of up to RM3 million from two well-known developers.

Aset Kayamas chairman Chai Kin Yong allegedly gave the former federal territories minister RM2 million when his companies were involved in projects under Tengku Adnan’s ministry.

There are 14 projects linking the ministry to Aset Kayamas and its subsidiaries, including initiatives like the 1Malaysia Civil Servant Housing (PP1AM) and Federal Territories’ Affordable Homes Programme (RUMAWIP).

Former prime minister Najib Razak launched the PP1AM programme with Chai in 2015. The property tycoon also funded The Star’s national-day campaign, Raise the Flag, last year.

In June, Aset Kayamas gave a boost to the Pakatan Harapan government and football fans across the country by shelling out RM1.2 million for the live public viewing of the FIFA 2018 World Cup final.

Chai also has a stake in Sabah-based Peramaju Industries Berhad which distributes Volkswagen and Ford cars here. Permaju is one of the leading players in the timber industry as well.

However, the 60-year-old was not charged with Tengku Adnan as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said he was still under investigation.

The other property developer, Tan Eng Boon, however, was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday at the same time that Tengku Adnan was being charged in a separate court.

Tan Eng Boon was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday with bribing Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor. He is the head of Joland Group Sdn Bhd, a Johor Baru-based property development company. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, November 16, 2018.

The 70-year-old is the head of Joland Group Sdn Bhd, a Johor Baru-based property developer.

Tan has businesses both in Johor and Singapore. He also has a mixed development in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, for which he allegedly paid Tengku Adnan RM1 million to smoothen the deal.

His sons, Edwin Tan and Godwin Tan, run Paragon Adventure which took over public-listed ceramics company, Goh Ban Huat Berhad.

The Johor-based businessman made headlines several years ago when he shelled out RM6 million to book the S.E.A. Aquarium in Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, for Edwin’s wedding.

Tan also gifted Edwin a Lamborghini worth RM3.65 million as a wedding present in 2013.

Joland Group has a diversified investment portfolio, including the Paragon Private and International schools in Johor.

Through the Paragon brand, Tan’s company is currently developing The Paragon@KL Northgate in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

Tan’s lawyer, Faisal Moideen said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission arrested his client on July 25 after questioning him for several days. He was released the next day on a RM70,000 bail.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Faisal urged the court not to hold Tan’s passport as he has business interests in Singapore which require his attention.

The lawyer also said Tan was suffering from high blood pressure and would be seeking treatment in Singapore.

Judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM700,000 in two sureties. The judge also ordered Tan to report to the nearest MACC office every month.

The court did not ask Tan to surrender his passport, but he was ordered to inform the court of his travel plans. – November 16, 2018.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT