KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today claimed the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had acted unfairly in charging him with obtaining RM2 million from a businessman four years ago.
Testifying in court here today, he said the AGC had withdrawn the corruption charge against former finance minister Lim Guan Eng who was accused of purchasing a bungalow at below market price.
“It is not fair,” he said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim.
“You are discriminating against me. You went to talk to the press and tarnished my image.”
Julia then reminded him that he was under cross-examination and only needed to answer “yes” or “no”.
“If your former AG can drop the charge against the former finance minister,” he said.
“You should ask the former AG,” Julia replied. “I am not the AG. Let us be calm.”
Lim was charged on June 30, 2016 with using his public office or position as Penang chief minister to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application to convert agricultural land for residential purposes during a state exco meeting on July 18, 2014.
He was also charged with using his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a bungalow from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at RM2.8 million, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.7 million at that time. Phang was accused of abetting Lim in the offence.
They were acquitted on Sept 3, 2018 by the George Town High Court after the AGC decided to drop the charges against them.
Julia also asked Tengku Adnan about the RM2 million he was said to have received from Aset Kayamas director Chai Kin Kong to fund two by-elections in 2016, and whether he had informed the Umno Supreme Council or Najib Razak who was party president at the time.
“It had nothing to do with the Umno HQ,” Tengku Adnan said.
“I was the Federal Territories Umno head, and I could ask people to donate. Not just Tan Sri Chai,” he said, adding that Julia was confused about how the Umno headquarters and state liaison offices operate.
When asked if he had a record of the money in the accounts, he said: “We normally don’t record donations.”
The hearing continues before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.
Tengku Adnan, commonly known as Ku Nan, is accused of receiving RM2 million from businessman Chai despite knowing that Chai’s companies had dealings with the federal territories ministry which was under him at the time.
In his defence, he said that he had not benefited from the RM2 million, which was paid to his company, Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd, in 2016 as the money was meant as a “political donation” for the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections. - FMT
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