BERSATU information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan claimed trial today to the charge of accepting almost RM7 million in kickbacks in connection with the Jana Wibawa aid programme.

He was also charged with soliciting for RM232 million in bribes in relation to the same programme to help highly placed Bumiputera contractors affected by the pandemic.

The Tasek Gelugor MP pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court before Justice Azura Alwi.

Among those present in court this morning were Bersatu leaders Muhyiddin Yassin, Hamzah Zainudin and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee and Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin.

The 48-year-old Wan Saiful is accused of asking for RM232 million from one Lian Tan Chuan in April last year as incentive to help Nepturis Sdn Bhd land the contract for the Central Spine Road project.

Wan Saiful is also accused of accepting RM6.96 million in bribes, which was deposited into the WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd CIMB bank account, in 2022.

He is the owner of the WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd.

The two charges were framed under Section 16(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. The offences are punishable by up to 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin led the prosecution while Wan Saiful was represented by Hisyam Teh Poh Teik and Takiyuddin Hassan.

The court allowed bail at RM400,000 and fixed March 22 for re-mention.

The accused was also ordered to surrender his passport and to report at the MACC office once every two months.

In a separate court, Segambut Bersatu division deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad also claimed trial to charges of corruption.

The 42-year-old is accused of asking for a bribe of up to 7% of the value of a RM47.8 million road construction project in Perlis, from one Mat Jusoh Mamat, who is the director of MIE Infrastructure & Energy Sdn Bhd. 

This was in exchange for helping Mat Jusoh to obtain a letter of acceptance for the project under the Jana Wibawa government aid programme.

The project was later awarded through direct negotiation

Adam was also charged with accepting RM500,000 that was paid to his company’s CIMB Bank account.

Both charges were framed under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009. 

He faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.

Adam was allowed bail at RM120,000. The court fixed March 23 for re-mention. – February 21, 2023.