Businessman fined RM1.5m for abetting Ku Nan
Published on: Wednesday, September 18, 2019
By: Bernama
Kuala Lumpur: A businessman was fined RM1.5 million by the High Court here after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of abetting former Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to corruptly received RM1 million from him in 2013.Businessman Datuk Tan Eng Boon, 71, was ordered to pay the fine tomorrow in default one year imprisonment.
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Justice Mohd Nazlan in his judgment said the court had taken into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as public interest.
“Firstly, the accused has pleaded guilty before commencement of trial and this has saved the court’s time; secondly, this is his first conviction.
“Thirdly, I’ve taken into account the facts of case where the charge is of abetment and the amount involved is RM1 million under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 165 of the same Code for maximum two years prison or fine or both in this case,” he said.
The judge said the sentence was to achieve the objectives of prevention and deterrence, as corruption was a serious crime that undermined the social and economic development of a country.
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“It also destroys the social fabric of the society,” he added.
The alternative charge against Tan was for abetment in the commission of an offence by Tengku Adnan, who, in his capacity as a public servant, had corruptly received as charged, RM1 million through a Public Bank cheque which was deposited into his CIMB Bank account by Tan.
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The cheque, belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd, was a reward for Tengku Adnan for approving Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) to increase the plot ratio relating to the development of Lot 228, Jalan Semarak, here.
The offence was committed at CIMB Bank Berhad, Putra World Trade Centre, Jalan Tun Ismail here, on Dec 27, 2013 under Section 109 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 165 of the same law, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years, or fine, or both, upon conviction.
Last Aug 23, the court set two days from Sept 19 to hear Tan’s case, which was fixed to be heard jointly with Tengku Adnan‘s case.
Tan, who was represented by lawyer Faisal Moideen pleaded guilty to the charge two days before commencement of the trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim told reporters that Tengku Adnan’s trial would continue as scheduled.
“Tan might be one of our main witnesses for the trial,” she said.
Earlier during case management today, Tan admitted to the alternative charge after both parties (prosecution and accused) agreed to dispose of the case through a plea bargain.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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