The RM2 million deposited into an account that belonged to Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s company was a political donation for Umno to fund two by-elections in 2016. the High Court heard today.
Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan said this was based on investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and evidence given by prosecution witnesses.
Tan said his client Tengku Adnan had asked for money from Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd director Chai Kin Kong for the purpose.
He said Tengku Adnan told Chai that about RM5 million to RM6 million was needed when Chai asked how much he needed to contribute.
“Chai deposited RM2 million into the account of Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd, which the accused is the majority shareholder. The money was never for the benefit of the accused,” he said in his submission at the close of the prosecution case.
He said it had been shown that there were by-elections held for the parliamentary seats of Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar in June 2016.
Tan said Chai, the prosecution’s star witness, had also confirmed during cross-examination that he gave the money to the accused as a political donation.
“However, the prosecution did not challenge that evidence during re-examination,” he said, adding that any benefit of doubt must go to his client.
He said this piece of evidence had actually led to the collapse of the prosecution’s case as the donor himself came to court to testify.
“Chai’s evidence contradicted the charge framed against the accused. The witness said the money was for Umno to fund the by-elections,” he said.
Tan said that Mohd Hasbi Jaafar, the chief operating officer of Tadmansori Holdings, also corroborated that the RM2 million was for political purposes after the money was deposited.
“Hasbi had sent a bank-in slip to the accused to inform him that the money had come in. The accused then told Hasbi it was for Umno ,” he said.
He said Hasbi and Tengku Adnan had told MACC investigating officer Muhamad Saad Bordani during interviews that the money was to finance the two by-elections.
“However, the prosecution did not ask Saad about the matter when he was on the witness stand,” he said.
Tengku Adnan, as a public servant, is accused of receiving RM2 million from Chai despite knowing that the businessman’s companies had dealings with the Federal Territories ministry, which was under him at that time.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at the Pusat Bandar Damansara CIMB Bank branch here on June 14, 2016.
The charge was framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which states that it is an offence for a public servant to obtain valuables without consideration. Those found guilty can be jailed for up to two years and fined.
The submission continues before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. – FMT