A FORMER political secretary to the Kedah menteri besar, Mohamad Hilmi Abdul Wahab, was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today with soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with a rare earth element (REE) mining project in the state.

Hilmi, 50, pleaded not guilty to both charges, which were read out before judge Suzana Hussin.

On the first charge, Hilmi is alleged to have solicited a cash bribe amounting to RM250,000 from REE Mining Group director Liana Mamat@Khalid, 40, through Syed Muhammad Syed Aluvi, 34.

It was as an inducement for him (Hilmi), who was then the political secretary to Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, to help the company get approval for its application for a REE mining licence and exploration licence in Kedah.

The offence was allegedly committed at Sunway Kiara Hills, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, on July 4.

He was also charged with receiving RM150,000 from Liana for the same purpose at a restaurant in Sri Hartamas Village, Kuala Lumpur on July 11.

The charge, framed under section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10, 000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Suzana, in allowing Hilmi bail of RM45,000 in one surety for both charges, ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report himself at the Kedah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office once a month pending disposal of his case.

She also told Hilmi not to intimidate witnesses in the case and set January 12 next year for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin prosecuted while lawyer Syed Naqiuddin Shahab represented Hilmi. – Bernama, November 20, 2023.