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DEPARTMENT of Environment (DOE) Director-General, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for accepting a bribe of RM100,000 to consider an exemption appeal regarding the preparation of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report last year.
The report was prepared for a planning permission application for the proposal to build the Bukit Kukus dual carriageway and earthworks for mitigation on government land, Jalan Bukit Kukus, Mukim 13, Timur Laut District, Paya Terubong, Penang.
Wan Abdul Latiff, 59, who was wearing a black coat, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read out by the court interpreter before Judge Suzana Hussin.
"Understood, not (guilty)," he said.
He is alleged to have received the bribe from the Director of Sunrich Conquest Sdn Bhd through a project manager at the same company.
The bribe was as remuneration for him as an officer of a public body, namely the DOE DG, to consider an appeal for exemption from preparing the EIA Report in question.