KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): The corruption and money-laundering trial of former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan relating to the Jana Wibawa project will resume on Thursday, Aug 22, before new Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad.

Rosli is replacing judge Rozina Ayob, who was transferred on Aug 15.

During Monday's proceedings, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Siti Amirah Muhammad Ali from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also informed the court that the lead prosecutor of the case had been changed.

“For the court’s information, the prosecution will be led by DPP Dr Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin, who just reported for duty at the MACC on Aug 15, replacing DPP Rasyidah Murni Azmi, who was also transferred.

“As such, Ifa is requesting for a little time to study the documents before the trial, taking into account the case being deemed high-profile and the important witnesses involved,” Siti Amirah said when the case was mentioned before the new judge on Monday.

Rosli then vacated the trial date on Aug 20, 21 and 23.

Wan Saiful, 47, allegedly solicited bribes from one Lian Tan Chuan as an inducement to help Nepturis Sdn Bhd secure the RM232 million "Central Spine Road: Sertik to East Coast Highway Interchange" project from the government in the pre-qualification stage. 

He was also accused of accepting RM6,962,694.54 in cash for himself through his company WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd's CIMB Bank account from the Maybank Islamic account belonging to Nepturis, as a reward for helping the company obtain a letter of acceptance for the project.

The two offences were allegedly committed at the Royal Lake Club, Taman Tasik Perdana here in April 2022, and at CIMB Bank Bukit Tunku Branch, Taman Tunku, Bukit Tunku here between July 8 and Sept 30, 2022.

Wan Saiful was also charged with 18 counts of money laundering involving RM5.59 million by transferring and using the illegal proceeds to pay for the purchase of a Ford Ranger vehicle, making payments to the Malaysian National Sports Council, as well as transferring money to several company accounts, including one belonging to Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd.

The offences were allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank Bukit Tunku Branch here between Aug 12 and Nov 13, 2022, and the charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. 

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