KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): Department of Environment director general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar and his deputy Norhazni Mat Sari were charged with graft in separate corruption cases on Friday.
Wan Abdul Latiff, 58, was slapped with a single charge of accepting gratification of RM100,000 from Syarikat Sunrich Conquest Sdn Bhd through company personnel to consider an appeal for exemption of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
The EIA was in relation to the suggested construction of Bukit Kukus Twin Road and earthworks for mitigation on government land nearby in Paya Terubong, Penang.
The EIA was to be a part of an application for planning permission submitted by Geo Valley Sdn Bhd in November 2024.
Wan Abdul Latiff, who was accused of committing the act in January 2025, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
The charge is framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and carries a punishment of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine not more than five times the gratification received.
Following submissions by parties, Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin set bail at RM40,000 with one surety and for his passport to be impounded by the court.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib prosecuted, while lawyer Mohd Firdaus Ahmad appeared for the accused.
Deputy charged with graft for accepting RM21,000 for her daughter
Separately, Norhazni, 59, was charged with six counts of gratification for receiving a total of RM21,000 from Tang Siong Hee, a director of E-Concern (Borneo) Sdn Bhd.
Norhazni was accused of receiving the sum for her 29-year-old daughter. The offences were committed from April 2022 to July 2024, and the monies were transferred online to the Maybank account of Norhazni's daughter.
Norhazni pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
The charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code for public servants receiving something valuable without any return from persons relating to their official duties. It carries imprisonment of not more than two years, a fine or both.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM25,000 with one surety and for Norhazni's passport to be impounded by the court.
Earlier, Norhazni's lawyer Haresh Mahadevan told the court that his client will be travelling abroad to attend work-related conferences in June. He asked for the passport to be surrendered later, upon his client's return.
DPP Ahmad Akram, who also leads the prosecution in this case, asked for the accused to apply for the passport's release closer to the travel date.