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KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 17): Businessman Datuk Tan Eng Boon (pictured, centre) was fined RM1.5 million by the High Court here after he pleaded guilty to a charge for abetting the former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor in receiving a RM1 million bribe.
The High Court was supposed to hear Tan's application to postpone the hearing of his case, which is to be heard jointly with Tengku Adnan's case.
The property developer, however, made a sudden change by pleading guilty to the alternative charge prior to the trial which is scheduled to commence in two days.
For the alternative charge made under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Tan can be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail or a fine or both, if convicted.
The High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali made the ruling after considering both parties' submission, and taking into account of all the relevant considerations.
"Payment to be paid by tomorrow," Justice Nazlan ruled.
Deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim told theedgemarkets.com that the accused, who will also be the most important witness in Tengku Adnan's corruption case, had indicated to the High Court last Friday (Sept 13) that he decided to change his plea.
On Nov 15 last year, Tan, 70, who is a director of a property development company, pleaded not guilty to a charge of giving a bribe to Tengku Adnan, 68, by depositing a RM1 million Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd into Tengku Adnan's CIMB Bank account.
It was allegedly a reward for Tengku Adnan for approving an application by 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 allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Bhd, Putra World Trade Centre, Jalan Tun Ismail on Dec 27, 2013.
The charge, under Section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Tan also faces an alternative charge, made under Section 165 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 109 of the same law, with abetting Tengku Adnan in committing the offence.
If convicted, he can be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail or a fine or both.
On Nov 15, last year, Tengku Adnan, pleaded not guilty to a charge of corruptly receiving RM1 million from Tan to approve an application by a company to increase the plot ratio of a development at Jalan Semarak here.
Justice Mohd Nazlan granted the prosecution's request to consolidate Tengku Adnan and Tan's cases in one trial on Aug 9.
