KOTA KINABALU: The son of a politician was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to 66 counts for abetting in a criminal breach of trust involving some RM400,000 by the Sessions Court here yesterday.
Judge Ummu Kalthom Abd Samad freed Wong Vun Siaw, 28, from all his charges on the application of deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Nazneen.
The prosecution made the request on account that Wong will stand as the main prosecution witness during the trial which will proceed on his co-accused Ng Yung Chin, 24.
Wong, son of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice-president Wong Yit Ming, on all 66 counts, is alleged to have abetted Ng in embezzling the cash belonging to a restaurant in Jalan Likas here, between the months of December, 2011 and November, 2012.
The offence stipulated under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 408 of the same Act provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment, with whipping, and is also liable to a fine, on conviction.
Ng, an accounts clerk, is charged as the main culprit on the 66 counts for pocketing the money, at the same place and time.
The charges framed under Section 408 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of between two and 20 years, with whipping, and liable to a fine, upon conviction.
Earlier, the prosecution informed the court of counsel Datuk Chau Chin Tang’s appointment as Wong’s lawyer.
Counsel Loretto Padua Jr also told the court that he would be acting for Ng, as counsel Serena Liew had discharged herself as Ng’s lawyer.
The prosecution is expected to call 11 witnesses during trial which will commence today.