DoE DG claims trial to RM100,000 graft charge

Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar is accused of accepting RM100,000 in bribes while Norhazni Mat Sari is alleged to have received RM21,000 in six tranches.

Wan Latiff pleaded not guilty before judge Suzana Hussin to a charge of accepting a RM100,000 bribe.

Wan Latiff, 58, is accused of receiving the bribe from Sunrich Conquest Sdn Bhd director Khor Chong Hai through the company’s project manager Lee Ham Kong, at the director-general’s office in Putrajaya on Jan 15, 2025.

The gratification was allegedly given as an inducement for Wan Latiff, in his capacity as a public officer, to consider an appeal for exemption from an environmental impact assessment.

The exemption was linked to a planning permission application involving the proposed Bukit Kukus twin road project and related earthworks in Paya Terubong, Penang.

The application was submitted by Geo Valley Sdn Bhd in a letter dated Nov 22, 2024.

The charge was framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The court allowed Wan Latiff bail of RM40,000 with one surety and ordered him to surrender his passport pending disposal of the case.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib had proposed bail of RM100,000, taking into account Wan Latiff’s position and the amount involved.

However, defence counsel Firdaus Ahmad submitted that the sum was excessive and sought a lower amount of between RM20,000 and RM30,000, saying Wan Latiff is the sole breadwinner and supports two children who are still in university.

He added that Wan Latiff is undergoing treatment for diabetes, while his wife suffers from hypertension. He also said that his client had cooperated with the authorities since investigations began on Jan 29.

The court fixed May 7 for case management.

Deputy public prosecutor Fadhly Zamry was also on the prosecution team.

Charges against Norhazni

Norhazni, 59, claimed trial before judge Azura Alwi to six charges of receiving a total of RM21,000 in gratification.

She is accused of receiving the money in six tranches from E-Concern (Borneo) Sdn Bhd director Tang Siong Hee, 41, and transferring the funds into her 29-year-old daughter’s bank account via online transactions.

The offences were allegedly committed at a bank along Jalan Sultan Ismail between April 18, 2022 and July 19, 2024. The charge, framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, provides for a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both, upon conviction.

The court allowed bail of RM25,000 with one surety and ordered her to surrender her passport.

Defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan requested that the passport be surrendered only after his client’s work trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend a series of meetings from June 16 to 26.

However, the court rejected the request after deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib submitted that the accused could apply for the temporary release of her passport.

The court fixed May 19 for case management.