KUALA LUMPUR – The sessions court here today has granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Datuk Abdul Latif Abdul Rahim for abetting his brother, former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez, in accepting bribes involving highway construction projects and road upgrades in Perak and Kedah.
Deputy public prosecutor Adam Mohamed said judge Azura Alwi made the decision after the prosecution applied for Latif to be given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by making him a prosecution witness.
“The Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) considered the application by the defence to drop the charges against Latif after two representations were submitted to the AGC three months ago.
“Therefore, we requested that the accused (Latif) be granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal from the charges. The court then granted the application,” he said today.
Meanwhile, Adam said Azeez and his brother’s trial, which was scheduled to be held from today until Wednesday, was vacated after the prosecution informed the court that high court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin had allowed Azeez’s application to adjourn the trial pending his application to quash the three corruption charges and 10 money-laundering charges he is facing on February 23.
According to Adam, Azeez did not attend today’s proceedings and that lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik had produced a medical certificate (MC) on behalf of the accused valid from February 5-11.
Meanwhile, lawyer Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, who is representing Latif, said he had applied for his client to be discharged and acquitted of the two charges.
“Actually, my client should be discharged and acquitted because it is not fair and he will think that the prosecution will charge him again if he is not freed of the charges,” he said.
Azeez, 54, who is also Baling MP, is charged with three counts of accepting bribes totalling RM5.2 million in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah as well as 10 counts of money laundering.
His brother, Latif, 63, is accused of abetting his brother in obtaining a RM4 million bribe from Mohammad Redzuan Mohanan Abdullah as gratification to help Syarikat Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd secure road projects through limited tender from the Works Ministry. – Bernama, February 8, 2021
