KOTA KINABALU: The Corruption Special Court has set Dec 5 for further pre-trial case management (PTCM) involving two incumbent assemblymen accused of receiving and giving bribes totaling RM350,000 linked to mineral exploration licence applications in Sabah.
Judge Jason Juga fixed the date for Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy when their cases came up for mention on Tuesday.
Deputy public prosecutor Rustam Sanip informed the court that the prosecution had yet to obtain a CD containing forensic evidence, the only remaining document to be served to the defence. He requested one month for completion.
Rustam also said some documents in Andi’s case were pending review, necessitating further PTCM.
Counsel Rizwandean M. Borhan, representing both accused, did not object but requested the new date be set after the state election.
Yusof, 69, Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah Berhad, allegedly received RM200,000 from an individual named Tei to facilitate a prospecting licence application on March 6, 2023.
Andi, 44, State Assistant Minister and Kalabakan MP, was charged with accepting RM150,000 from the same individual on May 12, 2023, for a similar purpose.
Both face charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ jail and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Both were earlier released on bail and temporarily allowed to retrieve their passports for overseas travel.