Hydroshoppe corruption trial set for 2027

The prosecution plans to present 29 witnesses in the corruption trial against Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd and its director, Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh, according to the High Court in Kuala Lumpur. The accusations revolve around a 15-year offer of RM500,000 annual bribes allegedly given to an individual for the benefit of former minister Annuar Musa, connected to the takeover of the Menara Kuala Lumpur concession.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar informed the court about this update during a case management hearing. The prosecution delivered the final documents to the defence, as reported by Qistini. Hydroshoppe's legal counsel, Chetan Jethwani, confirmed the case details. The trial dates were set for November 30 and June 24, 28, 29, and 30, 2027, replacing the initial dates in January, February, and June 2027.

Hamid, 52, is accused of offering the bribes to Tan Ser Lay in exchange for Annuar Musa, then communications and multimedia minister, facilitating the company's acquisition of the Menara Kuala Lumpur concession. The alleged offense took place between July and August 2022 at the communications and multimedia ministry in Putrajaya.

Hydroshoppe faces charges under Section 16(b)(B) and Section 17A(1)(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison, a fine of five times the bribe value or RM10,000, or a fine of RM1 million and 10 times the bribe value, whichever is greater.