Businessman claims trial to cheating man of RM2.5m four years ago

PETALING JAYA: A businessman yesterday claimed trial to two charges of cheating another businessman of RM2.5 million almost four years ago.

Muhammad Zarif Abdullah Menon, 44, is alleged to have dishonestly induced Md Aris Rifen, 61, to hand him the transfer documents of Bayu Tenang Sdn Bhd shares worth RM2.5 million, after giving him two Standard Chartered Bank cheques for RM1.5 million and RM1 million from the company account of Capital Century (M) Sdn Bhd.

He had issued the cheques for the purchase of the shares, knowing that the company’s (Capital Century) bank account was closed on June 27, 2012. He had allegedly committed the offences at Jalan PJS3/1, Taman Medan, near here at 10am on June 16, 2013.

Deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Hashim did not offer bail, but told the court if it wanted to give bail, he requested the amount to be RM250,000 for both charges.

Counsel Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, in seeking a reasonable bail for his client, said Zarif owned his company, was married with three children, and supported his aged and sickly parents.

“He is not a flight risk because his company and family are in Malaysia.

“The court can impose a fair bail amount and impose additional bail conditions.”

Judge Hilmiah Yusof set bail at RM25,000 in two sureties for both charges, ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court, report to the nearest police station on the first of every month till the disposal of the case, and fixed Aug 3 for case mention.

He is not a flight risk because his company and family are in Malaysia. MOHD YUSRI MOHD YUSOFF Counsel