Abdul Latif Bandi charged with 33 counts of graft involving RM30m (Updated)

JOHOR BARU: Johor state executive councillor Datuk Abdul Latif Bandi was today charged at the Sessions Court here for 33 counts of graft involving a total RM30 million.
The former State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman was charged under Section 28(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act along with another, Amir Sharifuddin Abdul Raub.
The councillor was held on March 9 for allegedly aiding the illegal conversion of Bumiputra land to non-Bumiputra status for disposal at higher prices.
The conversion involved hundreds of plots worth tens of milion ringgit.
Days before his arrest, the MACC detained in Johor seven people including Abd Latif's son, special political officer, a lawyer and a housing developer, all aged between 25 and 50
Apart from cash of over RM500,000, 21 luxury cars and high-powered motorcycles seized in the raids, MACC officers also seized 150 designer handbags during the raid.
The MACC also discovered 45 bank accounts belongings to the suspects with over RM15.5 million.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud and Raja Amir Nasruddin prosecuted.
Bail was set at RM2 million each with one surety, while the accused were also ordered to surrender their passports.
Abdul Latif was represented Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican.