KUALA LUMPUR: The corruption trial involving Baling member of parliament Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and his brother Datuk Abdul Latiff is set to commence in March next year.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi has fixed 13 days for the trial which would be held from March 16 to 20; April 1 to 3, May 18 to 20, and June 29 to 30.
She fixed the dates during case mention today.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Adam Mohamed said the prosecution would call about 30 witnesses to testify in the proceedings.
On Jan 16, Abdul Azeez, 52, represented by Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes totalling RM5.2 million in connection with some road projects, and nine counts of money laundering involving nearly RM140 million.
Abdul Azeez allegedly committed the corruption offences at the CIMB Bank, UAB Tower branch, No. 6, Jalan Tun Perak here on Dec 8, 2010 and at Affin Bank Bhd, J-03-G, Block J, Setiawalk, Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Petaling, Selangor, on June 13, 2017, and April 10 last year.
On charges of money laundering, he allegedly committed the offences around the Klang Valley between March 8, 2010, and Aug 30 last year.
The three charges of corruption are framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 while the nine charges, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti Money Laundering, Anti Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLTFPUAA).
Meanwhile, Abdul Latif, 61, stands accused of two charges of abetting Abdul Azeez who allegedly received RM4 million in cash from one Mohammad Redzuan as gratification to help Syarikat Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd secure a road project through limited tender from the Works Ministry.
The project involved the Pantai Baru Coastal Expressway: Upgrading Works of Federal Road FT005 (Teluk Intan to Kampung Lekir, Perak) worth RM644,480,000.
Both offences were allegedly committed at Affin Bank Bhd, J-03-G, Block J, Setiawalk, Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Petaling, Selangor between June 13, 2017 and April 10, last year.
The charges are under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009.