KUALA LUMPUR: Property tycoon Datuk Tan Eng Boon was fined RM1.5 million by the High Court for abetting Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to receive a RM1 million bribe.
Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali also ordered Tan to undergo a year's imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine.
Tan pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of abetting Tengku Adnan in committing the offence in December 2013.
He needs to settle the fine by tomorrow.
Nazlan in his judgment said corruption was a serious crime which would hinder the development of the country.
“The court has taken into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as public interest.
"Firstly, the accused pleaded guilty before the commencement of trial and this saved the court's time.
“This is also the first offence by the accused and the charge is abetment involving RM1 million.
“The sentence seeks to achieve the objectives of prevention and deterrence (of corruption),” he said.
In November last year, Tan claimed trial to bribing the former Federal Territories minister with RM1million using Public Bank cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd, which was deposited into Tengku Adnan’s CIMB account.
The money was purportedly a reward for Tengku Adnan for approving Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd’s (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) bid to increase the plot ratio relating to the development of Lot 228, Jalan Semarak, here.
The 71-year-old businessman was also slapped with an alternative charge under Section 109 of Penal Code for abetting Tengku Adnan in committing the offence.
Meanwhile, Tengku Adnan was charged in his position as a public servant, with accepting RM1 million from Tan.
The same court, on Aug 9, allowed the graft cases against Tan and Tengku Adnan to be heard together.
Since Tan has pleaded guilty, Tengku Adnan's trial will commence on Thursday.
Deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim when met after the proceedings said the trial would begin as scheduled.
“Tan might be one of our key witnesses during the proceedings,” she said.