The sentence of 12 months’ jail and a fine of RM2m, along with the guilty verdict for former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Mansor represents a laudable step towards the cleaning up of corruption in the country. The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) commends the judiciary for the verdict.
To quote High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, Tengku Adnan had used his personal company Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd to “enjoy the fruit of crime”.
Still, the guilty verdict for the case of Tengku Adnan accepting RM2m from businessman Chai Kin Kong four years ago is merely the tip of the iceberg, as the former minister was also embroiled in a corruption case of RM1m, which saw Ku Nan getting a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, not to mention other cases under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s watch.
That the case went to a discharge not amounting to an acquittal leaves questions unanswered, and the case should be reopened to fully bring to light any misconduct from the former minister, while setting a further precedent that any acts of corruption from those in office will no longer be tolerated or allowed to be swept under the rug.
Tengku Adnan’s role in several other controversial mega projects, including Desmond Lim’s proposed Pavilion Taman Tun at Taman Rimba Kiara and the distinctly expensive Bangsar-Damansara elevated highway project should also be investigated further.
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Despite his denials of any improper dealings and engagements with companies related to property tycoon Desmond, it is a series of amazing coincidences that have happened. Tengku Adnan’s Tadmansori Holdings securing 20% effective ownership of Sering Manis, the project company of the Pavilion Genting Highlands project, which in turn is linked to Desmond Lim himself. It also seems a major coincidence that Tengku Adnan’s brother, Tengku Rethwan, was also appointed a director of Sering Manis.
As such, C4 Center calls for MACC to further investigation Tengku Adnan’s RM1m discharge not amounting to an acquittal graft case, as well as the continued investigation into the Taman Rimba Kiara and the Bangsar-Damansara elevated highway project cases.
By proving beyond reasonable doubt his involvement in the RM2m corruption case, perhaps the other cases that Tengku Adnan is involved in should be fully investigated and tried in court to bring the truth to light, especially in the pursuit of cleaning up corruption in Malaysia.
The verdict also brings to light the importance of independent institutions in ensuring that justice is served, and corrupt politicians must never see a welcome in the corridors of power.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Pack the whole corrupted lot into a ship and sail it to the Bight of Australia and dump them [there]. The country cannot tolerate corrupted politicians!!