Mudajaya baffled at small quantum of criminal charges against rogue employee

PETALING JAYA: Construction and engineering firm Mudajaya Group Bhd said it is “baffled” by the quantum of criminal charges filed against its rogue employee, considering that the evidence collected showed that amounts stolen is much larger. 

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Mudajaya said it applauds the authorities for arresting Michael Chua Khian Keng in Bangkok, a former employee. 

However, the company added that it was “baffled by the magnitude of the charges against Chua, given the large sum he confessed taken from the company.”

Mudajaya noted the difference and disparity in the findings of the authorities that have charged Chua with a criminal breach of trust amounting to RM800,000 compared with other findings 

This includes a KPMG forensic report carried out on the instruction of Mudajaya, which found that as much as RM72mil was stolen. Mudajaya has also obtained judgement against Chua for RM55.7mil relating to the same incident, Mudajaya said. 

“The company and management will continue to press for more clarification and information on the above charges until a satisfactory explanation is afforded by the relevant authorities,” Mudjaya’s filings said. 

Mudjaya had filed a civil suit against Chua to recover the outstanding balance. As a result, Mudajaya had obtained a judgement in default against Chua on Sept 18, 2018 for the sum of RM55.7mil together with interest. 

Chua was charged in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s court on Feb 26 under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property amounting to RM800,000.00. He pleaded not guilty and claimed trail to all charges, with the first hearing fixed for April 5. The court has allowed Chua a RM10,000 bail with one surety.

Mudajaya added that its chairman Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusof, a former CEO of Bursa Malaysia has sent a Letter of Representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers, PDRM -CCID, National Center for Governance Integrity and Anti-Corruption on February 28 seeking for clarification on the matter.