Two datuks on cheating charge

PETALING JAYA: Koperasi Hartanah Malaysia Berhad (Kohama) executive chairman, Datuk Jali Sekak and part-time lecturer Datuk Dr Mohd Nasirudin Othman claimed trial at four sessions courts yesterday, to six counts of cheating in connection with the non-existent 1Malaysia Affordable Housing Project involving a loss of RM5.36 million, three years ago.

Jali, 52, and Mohd Nasirudin, 41, pleaded not guilty to the charges which were read out before judges Norshila Kamaruddin, Hilmiah Yusof, Azwarnida Affandi and Mabel S. Muttiah.

Jali's wives – Norhaizan Yahya, 45, and Nur Nadia Yusof, 30, – were also charged with abetment and misappropriation involving RM2.56 million in total over fraudulent construction of non-existent homes.

According to the charges, Jali, who was also former Koperasi Pembangunan Hartanah Putrajaya Berhad (KPHPB) chairman and Mohd Nasirudin, had allegedly cheated six individuals (contractors) by deceiving them to believe in the existence of the housing projects offered to six companies by KPHPB.

The construction of the affordable homes were alleged to have taken place in Labis, Segamat in Johor; Sungai Soi, Kuantan and Mentakab in Pahang; as well as three locations in Perak including Setiawan and Bidor.