Prosecution says Ku Nan received RM2 mil from developer for ‘by-election purposes’

Former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in former minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s RM2 million corruption trial told the High Court today that he had allegedly received money from a developer for by-election purposes.

Deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim, in reading her opening statement at Tengku Adnan’s trial, said the former minister had asked for between RM5 million and RM6 million from Chai Kin Kong, a director of Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd.

“Chai issued a RM2 million cheque for that purpose (by-election) and that money was deposited to Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd,” she said, adding that Tengku Adnan is a shareholder of Tadmansori.

However, she did not provide any details on the by-election in question.

She said the prosecution would cite evidence that Chai had surrendered the RM2 million cheque to Tengku Adnan at the latter’s office at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

She said the prosecution would also show evidence that Chai had given a letter to Tengku Adnan proposing the purchase of two plots of land in Bandar Tun Razak here for the purpose of building affordable houses priced at below RM200,000.

“The accused asked the then-deputy director of DBKL for project implementation and maintenance (Zulkifli Ibrahim) to look into the proposal based on Chai’s letter dated Jan 26, 2015,” she said.

The prosecution also said Aset Kayamas’ bid to buy the land in Bandar Tun Razak was rejected by the mayor at the time on April 3, 2015.

Ahmad Phesal Talib was DBKL mayor from July 18, 2012 to July 17, 2015.

Julia also said the prosecution would present evidence that after DBKL rejected the bid to buy the land, Aset Kayamas had dealt directly with Tengku Adnan on both the rejection and the housing project.

“We will also show the court that the then-minister played an active role in the land project by chairing a DBKL special meeting on May 14, 2015,” she said.

“At that special meeting, they decided on the housing project proposal for affordable houses and DBKL hostels on the 0.5-hectare plot of land.”

The hearing continues before High Court judge Zaini Mazlan.

Tengku Adnan, popularly known as Ku Nan, was accused of receiving RM2 million from Chai despite knowing that the businessman’s companies have dealings the federal territories ministry, which was under him at the time.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Pusat Bandar Damansara CIMB bank branch here on June 14, 2016.

The charge was framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, under which it is an offence for a public servant to obtain valuables without consideration.

Those found guilty can be jailed for up to two years and fined. - FMT