Bekas setpol Sanusi diperintah bela diri rasuah REE

Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered former Kedah Chief Minister Mohamad Hilmi Abdul Wahab, 53, to defend himself against charges of requesting and receiving bribes related to the extraction of rare earth minerals (REE) in the state, three years ago. Judge Suzana Hussin made the ruling after finding successful prima facie evidence against the 53-year-old, as reported by Bernama.

"Therefore, the accused is ordered to defend himself," she said, subsequently setting four days of defensive proceedings starting October 9. On November 20, 2023, Hilmi pleaded not guilty to the charge of requesting RM250,000 in cash bribes from Syarikat Kumpulan Perlombongan REE Sdn Bhd's chairperson, Liana Mamat Khalid, 43, through Syed Muhammad Syid Aluvi, 37.

It was alleged that Hilmi, who was then a Kedah state assemblyman, aided the company in securing approval for the REE exploration and exploration permit applications in Kedah. He claimed the alleged acts occurred at a premises in Sunway Kiara Hills, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, on July 4, 2023. Hilmi also pleaded not guilty to the charge of receiving RM150,000 in cash bribes from an individual for the same purpose from a restaurant in Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, on July 11, 2023.

The charges were brought under Section 16(a)(A) of Malaysia's Prevention of Corruption Act 2009, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM10,000, whichever is greater, if found guilty. Proceedings are being handled by Deputy Prosecutor Natrah Fareha Rahmat, while Hilmi's attorney, Syed Naqiuddin Shahab, is representing him.