KUALA LUMPUR – A senior private secretary to a former tourism, arts and culture minister has been instructed to enter his defence against eight charges of accepting a bribe of RM1.77 million, related to a tender for advertising services under the ministry six years ago.
Sessions court judge Suzana Hussin ruled this after finding the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against Mohd Saifullah Mohd Minggu @ Mohd Hisham, 33, at the end of the prosecution’s case.
The court however, acquitted and released Saifullah of 11 charges of soliciting and accepting bribes amounting to RM820,530 in connection with the same tender.
Saifullah’s fiancée, Nurfadziana Abdul Kadir, 32, was also acquitted and released of the charge of abetting with the accused to accept a bribe of RM232,000 after it was ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.
Judge Suzana informed Saifullah that he had three options for his defence – to remain silent, to testify in the accused’s dock without swearing, or to testify under oath in the witness stand, where he can be cross-examined.
Counsel Haijan Omar, representing Saifullah, informed the court that his client opted to testify from the witness stand under oath and agreed to be cross-examined.
In addition, he said the defence intended to call three witnesses, including Saifullah, to testify.
Also present at today’s proceedings were deputy public prosecutors Low Chin How, Noor Syafina Mohd Redzuan, Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir and Nurul Atiqah Mohamad Alias.
According to the eight charges, Saifullah is accused of receiving a bribe totalling RM1,765,000 from the owner of Inter Bev Network Sdn Bhd, Ronald Seto Kong Seng, through Roslan Lahada, as an inducement to secure a tender for “Branding and Creative Production Services.”
The charges relate to Tourism Malaysia’s advertising campaign for a digital promotion and advertising proposal in conjunction with the 2020 Visit Malaysia Year tender and the alleged bribe involves Inter Bev Network and direct negotiations for the tender with Plan B Digital Sdn Bhd.
The offences were allegedly committed at various locations, including the Red Box Karaoke and Coffee Bean outlets at the Pavilion shopping mall, the Putra World Trade Centre, the office of the senior private secretary to the minister in the tourism ministry, Vipod Residences, and the Dengkil Petronas, between 11am and 11.30pm from December 21, 2018 to March 1, 2019.
For the charge of soliciting and accepting bribes, Saifullah was charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, while Nurfadziana was charged under Section 28(1), and both individuals could face punishment under Section 24 of the same act.
If convicted, the accused can face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of either five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The court set April 17 for the trial. – February 23, 2024