KUALA LUMPUR – The corruption trial of Segambut Bersatu deputy chief, Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad, has been postponed for a month as the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) reviews his representation letter.
Adam’s counsel, Datuk Seri Rajan Navaratnam, confirmed to Scoop that the letter was submitted on July 4. However, he could not disclose the contents as the letter is confidential and currently under review.
It is common for individuals facing criminal charges to submit a representation letter to the AGC, seeking to have their charges dropped or amended.
Rajan also noted that the prosecution, led by Farah Yasmin Salleh at today’s proceeding in the sessions court, requires a month to consider the matter.
Judge Suzana Hussin has scheduled August 6 for the prosecution to inform the court of the AGC’s decision, with August 7 set for the trial should the representation letter be rejected.
This is the first time Adam Radlan has submitted a representation letter to the AGC, marking the third postponement of his trial.
Today’s proceeding was supposed to be the 43-year-old’s first day in the dock. The trial, initially set to begin in May, was postponed to today due to incomplete document submissions by both parties.
Adam Radlan faces multiple charges. On February 21, last year, he was charged with soliciting a bribe of between 3.5% and 7% of a RM47.8 million road construction project from Mat Jusoh Mamat, managing director of MIE Infrastructure & Energy Sdn Bhd.
He was also charged with accepting a bribe of RM500,000 from the same individual as an inducement to help the company secure the project, which spans from Jalan Sg Adam to Kg Banat in Perlis, through direct negotiations.
The offences allegedly occurred at a restaurant in Dutamas and CIMB Bank Bukit Tunku Branch, Taman Tunku, in March 2021 and November 26, 2021.
On 22 February this year, Adam Radlan was charged with two counts of receiving RM4.1 million in bribes from Lian Tan Chuan and Mat Jusoh to help Nepturis Sdn Bhd and MIE secure two similar Jana Wibawa projects.
Six days later, he was charged with soliciting RM2 million from Lian as an inducement to help Nepturis secure a related project.
All charges are framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Adam Radlan also faces seven money-laundering charges amounting to over RM3 million under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. – July 9, 2024