Arif, 67 and his son, Ahmad Zukhairi, 42, were found guilty of corruption by the sessions court in 2018, a decision that was later upheld by the High Court.

The father and son are now appealing both their convictions and prison sentences.

Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, counsel for Arif, confirmed the decision date today.

The appellate court’s three-judge panel, consisting of Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, Lim Chong Fong and Azizul Azmi Adnan, had heard arguments from both the defence and prosecution on Oct 22 but deferred its decision.

Vazeer, who presided over the case, has since been appointed to the Federal Court.

On Nov 14, 2018, the sessions court found Arif, 67, guilty of abetting Zukhairi, in accepting S$200,000 (RM627,800) from Syarikat Wazlina Sdn Bhd director Safian Salleh.

He was charged with accepting the money as gratification and an inducement to secure a hybrid solar system project in four remote islands off Sandakan, Sabah, worth RM57.5 million, which was awarded to Syarikat Eramaz (M) Sdn Bhd, an associate company of Syarikat Wazlina, at the Royal Lake Club, Jalan Cenderamulia, Kuala Lumpur, on Aug 23, 2016.

Arif was sentenced to three years in prison and fined RM3 million, in default three years’ imprisonment if the fine was not paid.

Zukhairi, a businessman, was convicted of four counts of soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with several projects involving the rural development ministry in 2016.

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and a RM9.6 million fine, in default a 10-year jail term if the fine was not paid.

Their appeals were dismissed by the High Court on March 23, 2021, prompting them to take their case to the Court of Appeal.