Man charged for cheating businessman over Melaka awards, title

SEREMBAN, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- A man was charged in the Sessions Court here today for cheating a businessman into buying an award or title from the Melaka State Government, involving losses amounting to RM650,000 two years ago.

The accused, Tuan Mochtar Tuan Abdul Malek, 34, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charge was read out in the presence of Judge Diana Md Razali.

According to the charge, on Oct 20, 2017 until Dec 10, 2017,  at the Green Technology Park in Seremban 2, Tuan Mochtar cheated Lim Siang Yoong, 39, into believing that he (Tuan Mochtar) could help get an award or title from the Melaka State Government with a payment of RM650,000 in cash.

However, after the money was handed over, the victim did not get any awards or titles from the accused.

As such, the accused had maliciously induced the victim to hand over RM650,000 in cash to him, with the belief that he could acquire an award or title from the Melaka State Government.

The accused was found to have committed the offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail sentence of not less than one year and not more than 10 years, as well as caning and a fine.

He was also charged with an alternative count under Section 418 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail sentence of five years, or fine, or both.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nuralis Mat offered bail of RM50,000 with one surety.

However, the accused who was represented by counsel Datuk Ahmad Damanhuri Mohd Yusof pleaded for a lower bail as he was supporting his family, including his father who suffered Parkinson’s Disease, on a salary of only RM2,500. 

The judge then set bail at RM40,000 with one surety and set a re-mention of the case on Nov 4.

-- BERNAMA