KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was today sentenced to one year's jail after he was found guilty of corruption by receiving RM2 million for himself from a businessman.
High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan also imposed a RM2 million fine on him after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case against the Putrajaya Member of Parliament, who is popularly known as Ku Nan.
Tengku Adnan, who had just celebrated his 70th birthday and his son's wedding yesterday, did not show any emotion from the dock as the judge read out the verdict.
Tengku Adnan was represented by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, while the prosecution team was led by deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim.
Earlier, during mitigation, Tan pleaded for the court to do away with a jail sentence and only impose a fine against his client.
He argued that it was Tengku Adnan's first offence and the court should temper justice with mercy.
"The court should not be influenced by what happens outside the courtroom. My client is a first offender and he has not committed a heinous crime.
"He has made significant contributions to the nation, particularly to those living in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur," he said, noting that Tengku Adnan had been an Umno member since 1969 and had served in Cabinet and also as an MP for 17 years.
Tengku Adnan, he said, was also often forced to make personal monetary advances to Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) due to his financial standing.
Tan also pointed out that the court should take notice that the current Perikatan Nasional (PN) government is ruling the country with a razor-thin majority of just a few seats.
However, the judge immediately cut in and asked Tan whether the court should be concerned with political developments in the country when dishing out the sentence against the accused.
Tan answered that whatever sentence imposed on Tengku Adnan would have an effect on the government's majority.
The lawyer also urged the court to take into consideration Tengku Adnan's age and health before sentencing the politician.
"My client is already 70 and he suffers from various ailments, including hypertension, heart and lung problems.
"He is ill...I am not making it up. I pray there is no custodial sentence and the fine should be less than RM2,000. I am not worried about the disqualification but I am worried about his health," he said.
However, Julia countered that the court must impose a deterrent and appropriate sentence to reflect the severity of the offence committed.
She said the defence's application for a mere fine was absolutely inappropriate.
"It was the accused himself who previously said that RM2 million is just pocket change for him. How can they say the fine should be less than RM2,000?
"MPs come and go... there can always be elections to appoint new MPs," she said, urging the court to impose a jail sentence and also a fine of no less than RM2 million.
She also urged the court to take note that the accused held a position of power and influence, which means whatever such individuals do is closely followed by the people.
Julia cited the case of former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was sentenced to one year's jail for committing a similar offence under the same section Tengku Adnan is charged.
Tengku Adnan was charged in his capacity as a civil servant, namely Federal Territories Minister, with having received for himself a total of RM2 million from Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong, who is Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd (AKSB) director.
It was done via a Hong Leong Islamic Bank cheque belonging to the company, which was deposited into a CIMB account owned by Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd (THSB), which Tengku Adnan has an interest in and is known to AKSB as being related to his official duties.
Tengku Adnan was accused of committing the offence under Section 165 of the Penal Code at the CIMB Bank Berhad, Pusat Bandar Damansara, here on June 14 2016.
The offence carries a maximum two year's jail, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.