Kedah MB’s ex‑political secretary ordered to enter defence in REE mining bribery case
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The Sessions Court today ordered Mohamad Hilmi Abdul Wahab, former political secretary to t...
Kedah's former political secretary, Mohamad Hilmi Abdul Wahab, has been ordered by the Sessions Court to enter a defence in two charges of soliciting and accepting bribes linked to rare earth element (REE) mining projects from three years ago. Judge Suzana Hussin made the ruling after the prosecution proved a prima facie case against the 53-year-old.
The court will now allow four days, starting October 9, for Mohamad Hilmi to present his defence. Mohamad Hilmi pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting a RM250,000 cash bribe from REE Mining Group Sdn Bhd director Liana Mamat for expediting approval of their REE Mining Licence and Exploration Licence applications in Kedah. He also pleaded not guilty to accepting a RM150,000 bribe from Liana for the same purpose, received at a restaurant in Desa Sri Hartamas on July 11, 2023.
The charges fall under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine exceeding RM10,000, or five times the bribe amount, whichever is greater.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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