Shamsul Iskandar Charged With Corruption Linked To Sabah Mineral Exploration Licence
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Former Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin was charged in the Sessions Court here today with four counts of corruption amounting to RM176,829.03 in connection with mineral exploration licence approval in Sabah.
Shamsul Iskandar @ Yusre Mohd Akin, 50, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Judge Suzana Hussin.
“I understand (the charges), (I) plead not guilty and request trial,” Shamsul Iskandar said calmly.
Shamsul Iskandar, who was serving as the Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister at the time of the alleged offences, is accused of agreeing to accept a bribe of RM100,000 in cash from businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, at a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin here on Nov 24, 2023.
The payment was allegedly given as an inducement for him to assist companies in which Tei had interests to obtain mineral exploration licence approvals in Sabah, even though the matter was not connected to his principal affairs.
Shamsul Iskandar is also charged with obtaining another bribe of RM40,000 in cash from Tei for the same purpose at a premises in Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya here on Jan 29, 2024.
He further faces two additional charges of receiving bribes in the form of furniture and electrical items worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, respectively, from the same individual for similar purposes.
The two offences were allegedly committed at a premises in Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya here between Dec 7, 2023 and Jan 31, 2024, and at Jalan P14a 1/1, Precinct 14, Putrajaya between Feb 26 and March 5, 2024.
All four charges were framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 [Act 694], which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
The section provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, if it can be assessed, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Suzana set Jan 8 next year for mention and allowed bail of RM150,000 with two Malaysian sureties.
“The court also sets three additional conditions, namely that the accused must report to the nearest MACC office once a month, surrender his passport to the court until the case concludes, and refrain from disturbing prosecution witnesses,” the judge said.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan and Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar, while Shamsul Iskandar was represented by lawyers Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff and Joshua Tay.
DPP Farah Ezlin, meanwhile, said the offences were non-bailable, but if allowed, the prosecution requested bail set at RM300,000 with two Malaysian sureties, and for the accused to surrender his passport, report to the MACC headquarters monthly and not disturb witnesses.
“These are serious offences, and the penalties are severe, carrying up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines that may reach RM1 million for all four charges. Bail is to ensure the accused’s presence in court and should not be treated as punishment.
“Given that the accused previously held a senior position with ‘networking’, we must ensure there is no interference with witnesses and nothing that may delay or disrupt the trial, and to guarantee his attendance at every hearing,” she said.
In response, Amer Hamzah requested minimal bail, arguing that the sole purpose of bail is to secure the accused’s attendance in court.
“Bail should not exceed RM50,000, and the passport need not be confiscated. It is sufficient for him to report to the MACC office. The allegation that the accused has ‘networking’ is speculative. The accused lodged a police report on Nov 26 denying all allegations made against him on social media and denying receiving any bribe,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Yusmadi said the accused, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, has three school-going children while his wife is a civil servant, and a high bail amount would impose significant financial strain on the family.
“The court should also consider the accused’s sense of responsibility in resigning as political secretary after news of the case surfaced, as well as his close ties with the community through his roles as Melaka PKR chairman and Hang Tuah Jaya division chief,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
