COURT IMPOSES MAXIMUM FINE ON DUO FOR FAILING TO REPORT RM4 MLN BRIBE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The Sessions Court today imposed the maximum fine upon a company director, with a Datuk title and a plantation owner, for their failure to report the receipt of RM4 million in bribes related to the non-existent ‘MEX II’ highway project. 

Judge Rosli Ahmad fined Datuk Lim Kim Hai, 50, and Ang Teck Ann, 52, the maximum of RM100,000, in default of ten months' prison if they fail to settle after they pleaded guilty to the charges. 

The charges stemmed from a failure to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements stipulated under Section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which obligates any person who receives any gratification, as defined by the Act, to report such receipt to the nearest MACC or police officer.

bootstrap slideshow

Lim was accused of receiving a cash bribe of RM3.5 million from one Datuk Yap Wee Leong, the former director of MEX II Sdn Bhd, allegedly as an inducement for securing three subcontractor companies—Villas Hub Sdn Bhd, Jade Centennial Sdn Bhd, and Bidang Bakat Sdn Bhd—for the benefit of Golden Base Construction Sdn Bhd.

Ang was accused of receiving a bribe of RM500,000, allegedly as a reward for acting as an intermediary between Lim and another individual to secure the same three subcontractor companies for Golden Base Construction Sdn Bhd.

The offence allegedly took place at KH LIM Corporate Consultancy Sdn Bhd, Mid Valley City, between June 2017 and June 2018.

They were charged under Section 25(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both upon conviction. 

Deputy public prosecutors Mohd Fadhly Mohd Zamry, Nurul Izzati Sapifee and M. Esther Jacyntha submitted to the Court that the maximum fine should be imposed, arguing that public interest should outweigh the personal circumstances of the two accused.

Furthermore, the prosecution made an application pursuant to Section 40(1) of the MACC Act 2009 for the forfeiture of the cash sums related to the charges.

Rosli granted the prosecution's application and ordered that the said assets be forfeited to the government.

Lim and Ang were represented by counsels Datuk Seri James Chow and Ramalingam Karuppiah, respectively, who appealed for a lesser sum, submitting that their clients were remorseful and had fully cooperated with the MACC throughout its investigation.

-- BERNAMA