{
  "id": 2125581,
  "title": "Kedah MB’s ex-aide ordered to enter defence in rare earth bribery case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/kedah-mbs-ex-aide-ordered-to-enter-defence-in-rare-earth-bribery-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T11:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/20/kedah-mb-s-ex-aide-ordered-to-enter-defence-in-rare-earth-bribery-case"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 20, 2023, Hilmi Abdul Wahab, a former political secretary to the Kedah menteri besar, pleaded not guilty to two charges of soliciting and accepting bribes related to rare earth mining projects three years ago. In a session court ruling, Judge Suzana Hussin found the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Hilmi, 53, on all charges. The accused is now required to enter his defence, with the court setting a trial date of October 9 for the proceedings.",
  "summary": "Kuala Lumpur sessions court judge Suzana Hussin says the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Hilmi Abdul Wahab.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hilmi Abdul Wahab pleads not guilty to two charges of soliciting and accepting bribes.",
    "Former political secretary to Kedah menteri besar in bribery case.",
    "Trial date set for October 9, 2023."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Kedah MB’s ex-aide ordered to enter defence in rare earth bribery case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/kedah-mbs-ex-aide-ordered-to-enter-defence-in-rare-earth-bribery-case-2129216",
        "published": "2026-08-20T11:41:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Kedah MB's ex-political secretary ordered to enter defence in rare earths bribery case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/kedah-mbs-ex-political-secretary-ordered-to-enter-defence-in-rare",
        "published": "2026-08-20T12:18:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Kedah MB’s ex‑political secretary ordered to enter defence in REE mining bribery case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/kedah-mbs-ex-political-secretary-ordered-to-enter-defence-in-ree",
        "published": "2026-08-20T12:28:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}