KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has claimed trial to two charges of soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.9 million to help a private firm to secure a central spine road government contract worth RM232 million.
The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him in the presence of sessions judge court Azura Alwi here today.
On the charge of soliciting, Wan Saiful allegedly committed the crime sometime in April 2022 at the Royal Lake Club by seeking an unspecified amount from Lian Tan Chuan to help private firm Nepturis Sdn Bhd secure the aforementioned government project.
On the bribery charge, Wan Saiful had allegedly committed the crime between July and September 2022 at CIMB Bukit Tunku for receiving cash in the amount of RM6.9 million.
Among those who were present in the public gallery to provide moral support to Wan Saiful today was Bersatu top leaders including its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, vice-president Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin, and party youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
Wan Saiful was allowed RM400,000 bail by Azura and is required to surrender his passport and report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya once every two months until the conclusion of his case.
In a separate courtroom in front of sessions court judge Suzana Hussin, businessman Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad also claimed trial to two similar charges of soliciting and bribery.
The businessman had allegedly solicited from Mat Jusoh Mamat, managing director of MIE Infrastructure & Energy Sdn Bhd, for between 3.5% to 7% of the project value of a road project worth RM47.8 million.
The Segambut Bersatu deputy chief had also allegedly received RM500,000 as an inducement to help the private firm to secure the aforementioned project.
Both men were charged under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 24(1) of the MACC Act 2009 and could face up to 20 years’ jail and a minimum fine of RM10,000, if convicted.
The aforementioned infrastructure projects are parked under the Jana Wibawa initiative.
Jana Wibawa, also known as “Program Jana Ekonomi Pemerkasaan Kontraktor Bumiputera Berwibawa”, was aimed at expediting project execution by Bumiputera contractors, as part of moves to boost the country’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The scheme involved pre-qualification tenders or direct awards in accordance with Finance Ministry guidelines on direct award processes. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023
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