Judge Zaini Mazlan made the decision after allowing the prosecution’s appeal to set aside the sessions court decision in 2020 to acquit and free Sabudin of the two charges.

“The appeal is allowed. The decision of the sessions court has been set aside and the case will go back to the sessions court for the respondent (Sabudin) to defend himself,” he said.

The case was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Natrah Fareha Rahmat and Shahrom Idris while K Theivaendran represented Sabudin.

A total of six prosecution witnesses were called to testify at the trial.

Sabudin, 60, who was senior deputy director of DBKL’s civil engineering and urban transport division, was charged with corruptly receiving bribes amounting to RM200,000 in cash from Wong May Kuan, a subcontractor of Dusari Niaga, as an inducement for him to issue work permits to the company.

He was charged with committing the offences at a petrol station convenience store at Bukit Antarabangsa and in front of his residence in Ukay Perdana, Ampang, on June 9, 2018 and Jan 17, 2019, respectively.

Section 24(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.