KUALA LUMPUR: A former director of Koperasi Permodalan Felda Quality (KPFQ) and its former chief operating officer (COO) pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to 134 counts of cheating Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) of more than RM60 million.
Datuk Tan Han Kook, 58, and Ching Siew Cheong, 50, were jointly charged with cheating Maybank officers with regards to falsified bankers acceptances and inducing them to transfer RM67,433,143 into three accounts belonging to Asia Food Link Sdn Bhd, Violet Bonanza Sdn Bhd and Stanson Marketing Sdn Bhd.
They allegedly committed the offences at the Menara Hap Seng Maybank at Jalan P.Ramlee here, between October 2011 an February this year.
The accused face up to 20 years in prison, whipping or fine, upon conviction under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Tan and Ching also pleaded not guilty to 134 alternative charges of using falsified documents for the bankers acceptances at the same place and time.
The alternative charges were brought under Section 471 of the Penal Code and are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fine, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Dzulkifli Ahmad offered bail at RM800,000 and lawyer Ng Aik Guan, who represented both the accused, applied to pay RM400,000 first and settle the balance before Dec 14.
Judge Rozilah Salleh allowed the lawyer’s application, ordered the accused’ passport to be impounded and fixed Jan 2, 2013, for case management. — Bernama