Kuala lumpur: The Sessions Court here has scheduled a hearing for September 3 regarding the application by Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, to pause ongoing corruption proceedings. This move comes as he awaits the outcome of his appeal to transfer his case to the High Court.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Judge Suzana Hussin fixed the hearing date following a request from Shamsul Iskandar's attorney, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, who announced the application filing the previous day. The judge noted the prosecution's lack of objection to the application but emphasized the need to formalize the hearing date.

Amer Hamzah informed the court that an earlier attempt to transfer the case to the High Court was rejected by Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin. An appeal to this decision is set to be heard by the Court of Appeal on January 19 next year. He urged the court to consider staying the proceedings until the appeal's resolution, highlighting the prosecution's non-objection as a means to expedite the process.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan confirmed receiving the application and reiterated the prosecution's stance of non-opposition.

The charges against Shamsul Iskandar involve allegations of agreeing to accept RM140,000 from businessman Tei Jiann Cheing, known as Albert Tei, to facilitate the approval of a mineral exploration licence in Sabah. Additional accusations include receiving furniture and electrical appliances valued at RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, respectively, from Tei for similar purposes.

These alleged offences occurred at various locations, including premises on Jalan Medang Serai, a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, and Jalan P14A 1/1 in Putrajaya, spanning from December 7, 2023, to January 31, 2024, as well as between November 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.

Shamsul Iskandar also faces charges related to receiving RM64,924 from Tei, purportedly deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to Rahmalidya Buyong, intended to cover rental expenses for a residence in Jalan Medang Serai, Kuala Lumpur. These actions were allegedly aimed at aiding Tei's company in securing the mineral exploration licence.

The charges are framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, with penalties outlined in Section 24(1) of the same Act, stipulating a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the gratification amount or RM10,000, whichever is greater.