Former Selangor executive councillor Saidin Thamby has sent a representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to consider withdrawing the prosecution’s appeal against his (Saidin’s) acquittal for graft, the Court of Appeal heard in Putrajaya today.

His counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, told a three-man panel that he was awaiting a response, with regard to the representation which he had sent twice - two days ago and in September.

He said the attorney-general required a week to consider his representation.

Muhammad Shafee gave this as one of the reasons he sought for the hearing of the appeal which was scheduled today, to be adjourned to another date.

The other reasons were that Saidin was unwell and had gone to the hospital today, and also he (Muhammad Shafee) needed a break as he had been tied up with work since last week.

Justices Abdul Malik Ishak, Azhar Ma’ah and Mohtaruddin Baki allowed his application and fixed Dec 9 for hearing of the appeal.

The prosecution is appealing against the decision of the Shah Alam High Court, delivered on April 27, 2009, to allow Saidin’s appeal to set aside his conviction and sentence meted out on him by the Sessions Court.

The Sessions Court sentenced the former Paya Jaras representative in the Selangor state legislative assembly to one year’s jail, RM10,000 fine or six months’ jail, and a penalty of RM1 million, to be paid to the federal government after finding him guilty of accepting a RM1 million cheque as gratification.

He was accused of accepting the cheque from former Nusantara Network Sdn Bhd chairperson Dr Hanifah Nordin for assisting the company obtain approval from the state executive council for a piece of land in Section 4, Batu Caves, Gombak to be developed as the Selayang Baru Business Centre.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at Nusantara Network’s premises in Jalan Selasih 4, Taman Selasih in Batu Caves on March 15, 1997.

Abdul Razak Musa was Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor.

- Bernama