Three ordered to enter defence over false statements

Three former officers of an investment company, including a man with ‘ Datuk’ title were ordered to enter their defence by the High Court here yesterday for submitting false statements to Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, 12 years ago.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah made the decision after allowing the prosecution’s appeal to set aside the Sessions Court’s decision to acquit Kosmo Technology Industrial Bhd former executive director, Mohd Azham Mohd Noor, 53; former account manager, Lim Hai Loon, 48; and former managing director, Datuk Norhamzah Nordin, 53.

Azman in his judgement said the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the three respondents.

He also ordered that the case be heard before the same Sessions Court judge who sat in the trial at the prosecution stage.

On Sept 23, 2016 Judge Norsharidah Awang acquitted and discharged the three respondents without their defence being called, after finding the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case at the end of the prosecution case.

The Sessions Court made the decision after hearing testimony from 32 prosecution witnesses in the trial.

In 2011, Mohd Azham and Norhamzah pleaded not guilty to eight counts of making false statements in the company’s annual report for 2006 and 2007 to Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad at Exchange Square, Bukit Kewangan here between 2006 and 2008.

They were charged under Section 122B ( a)( bb) of the Securities Industry Act 1983 (Act 280), read together with Section 122(1) of the same act, which is punishable under Section 122B of the same Act and carries a fine of up to RM3 million or a jail term of up to 10 years, upon conviction.

Lim also pleaded not guilty to eight counts of abetting the company in the offence and was charged under the same Act.

Deputy public prosecutors from the Securities Commission, Hashley Tajudin and V Shuba prosecuted while the respondents were represented by lawyer Datuk DP Vijandran. — Bernama

The decomposed body of an elderly woman was found in a house at Bintawa Village here on Tuesday.

Chai Mui Lian, 79, was found lying dead on the bathroom floor.

According to her friend, Chai failed to turn up for work for several days, and concerned over her safety, she went over to the house with the police to check on her.

When they arrived, they smelled something unpleasant coming from the house that was locked.

Wong Tong Leong the operation commander from Tabuan Jaya fire station, said they received a call requesting for assistance to open the locked door.

“When they entered the house, police found a body lying in the bathroom. The identity of the woman was confirmed by her friend.”

The body was later handed over to the police for further action.