Former Felda board member acquitted of 29 bribery charges

Former Felda board of directors member Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashi was today acquitted and discharged of 29 bribery charges after the prosecution withdrew the charges against him.

His counsel Hasnal Rezua Merican, when contacted, said the prosecution had informed the court of the withdrawal of the 29 charges during the case proceeding before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin on May 21.

“Actually, the date (May 21) was set for continuation of the case hearing but the prosecution informed the court about the withdrawal of all the charges against the accused.

“This came about after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated the defence’s statement under Section 62 of the MACC Act and was satisfied that all the transactions made as stated in the charges were advances that had been fully repaid.

“Therefore, the prosecution withdrew the charges against my client (Noor Ehsanuddin) and the court then acquitted and discharged him of all 29 charges,” said the lawyer.

The court hearing started in August 2019 and 24 prosecution witnesses including bank officers and Companies Commission of Malaysia officials gave evidence.

In the Sessions Court, Noor Ehsanuddin, 58, had faced 14 charges of accepting a bribe of RM23,540.68 in instalment payments for a BMW 3 Series car from a printing company, Karya Hidayah Sdn Bhd, in 2014 and 2015.

In the Johor Bahru court, he faced 10 charges including of receiving a bribe of RM50,000 and a piece of land from the same company in 2013 and 2014.

He was also charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court with five counts of accepting the maintenance of two vehicles and a legal fee payment of RM12,707.60 for the purchase of a piece of land.

The cases in Johor Bahru and Shah Alam were heard together with the case in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur.