THE case involving a businessman who allegedly gave a RM1 million bribe to former Federal Territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor after obtaining approval to raise the development ratio in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, will be heard in the sessions court.

This was decided after the prosecution, represented by deputy public prosecutor Lailawati Ali, withdrew an application to transfer the case against Tan Eng Boon, 70, from the sessions court to the high court.

High court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah later revoked the application.

Counsel Faisal Moideen, representing Tan, protested against the prosecution’s move to withdraw the application, on the grounds that the defence has filed an affidavit in response to the transfer application.

On December 26 last year, the prosecution filed a notification request to transfer the case to the high court.

On November 15 last year, Tan, a director of a property development company, pleaded not guilty to bribing Tengku Adnan, 68, by depositing a Public Bank cheque for RM1 million, belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd, in the former minister’s CIMB Bank account.

Tan was charged with giving the bribe as a reward after Tengku Adnan, also known as Ku Nan, gave his approval to Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd, now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd, to increase the plot ratio relating to the development of Lot 228 in Jalan Semarak.

The offence was allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank outlet at the Putra World Trade Centre in Jalan Tun Ismail on December 27, 2013.

Tan also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of helping Tengku Adnan commit the crime of accepting the RM1 million as a public servant, when the latter knew that Tan, as Nucleus Properties director, had links to his official duties.

The businessman was charged with committing the offence at the same place and date under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 165 of the same code.

He faces a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. – Bernama, January 22, 2019.