THE 12 months’ jail sentence and fine of RM2 million, along with the guilty verdict for former Federal Territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor represents a laudable step towards the cleaning up of corruption in the country. The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) commends the judiciary for the verdict.
To quote high court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, Ku Nan had used his personal company Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd to “enjoy the fruit of crime”.
However, C4 Centre also agrees with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) sentiment about the possibility of the inadequacy of Ku Nan’s sentence. It was revealed that the AGC is studying the judgement following Ku Nan’s filing of an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Still, as much as Ku Nan has the right of due process for the guilty verdict on the case of accepting RM2 million from businessman Chai Kin Kong four years ago, the verdict is merely the tip of the iceberg, as the former minister was also embroiled in a corruption case of RM1 million, which saw Ku Nan discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA), not to mention other cases under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s watch.
That the case went to a DNAA leaves questions unanswered, and the case should be reopened to fully bring to light any misconduct from the former minister, while setting a further precedent that any acts of corruption from those in office will no longer be tolerated or allowed to be swept under the rug.
Ku Nan’s role in several other controversial mega projects, including Desmond Lim’s proposed Pavilion Taman Tun at Taman Rimba Kiara and the distinctly expensive Bangsar-Damansara elevated highway project, should also be investigated further.
Despite his denials of any improper dealings and engagements with companies related to property tycoon Lim, it was a series of amazing coincidences that have happened. Ku Nan’s Tadmansori Holdings secured 20% effective ownership of Sering Manis, the project company of the Pavilion Genting Highlands project, which in turn is linked to Lim himself. It also seems a major coincidence that Ku Nan’s brother, Tengku Rethwan Tengku Mansor, was also appointed a director of Sering Manis.
As such, C4 Centre calls for MACC to further investigation into Ku Nan's RM1 million DNAA graft case, as well as the continued investigation into the Taman Rimba Kiara and the Bangsar-Damansara elevated highway project cases.
In proving his involvement in the RM2 million corruption case beyond reasonable doubt, perhaps the other cases that Ku Nan is involved in should be fully investigated and tried in court to bring the truth to light, especially in the pursuit of cleaning up corruption in Malaysia.
The verdict also brings to light the importance of independent institutions in ensuring that justice is served, and corrupt politicians must never see a welcome in the corridors of power. – The Vibes, December 23, 2020
The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism is an independent non-profit policy advocacy group dedicated to upholding good governance
