KUALA LUMPUR – Environment Department director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar today pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to a charge of accepting RM100,000 in bribes.
The plea was recorded before Judge Suzana Hussin.
Wan Latiff, 58, is accused of receiving the sum from Sunrich Conquest Sdn Bhd director Khor Chong Hai, via the company’s project manager Lee Ham Kong, on January 15, 2025, at his office in Putrajaya.
The payment was allegedly an inducement for him, 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 for 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 November 22, 2024.
The charge, under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, carries a maximum jail term of 20 years upon conviction, and a fine of no less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The court allowed bail of RM40,000 with one surety and ordered Wan Latiff to surrender his passport pending disposal of the case.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib had proposed bail of RM100,000, citing Wan Latiff’s position and the amount involved.
However, defence counsel Firdaus Ahmad argued that the sum was excessive and sought a lower bail of between RM20,000 and RM30,000, saying Wan Latiff is the sole breadwinner supporting two children still in university.
He added that Wan Latiff is undergoing treatment for diabetes, while his wife suffers from hypertension, and that his client had cooperated with authorities since investigations began on January 29.
The court fixed May 7 for case management. Deputy public prosecutor Fadhly Zamry was also on the prosecution team.
Deputy charged
Separately, one of Wan Latiff’s deputies, Norhazni Mat Sari, 59, also 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 charges, framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, carry 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, from June 16 to 26, but the court rejected the request after Ahmad Akram said she could apply for a temporary release.
The court fixed May 19 for case management. – April 3, 2026