Lawyer denies cheating his client

KUALA LUMPUR: A lawyer found himself on the wrong side of the dock when he was charged with cheating and embezzling from his client in a RM9mil land deal.

How Chee Hong, 48, claimed trial to misappropriating RM9,056,124 meant as a deposit to purchase a plot of land in the Kuala Lumpur district.

He also pleaded not guilty to the alternate charge proffered of cheating his client, land developer Datuk Azizi Yom Ahmad, 67, into believing he could obtain an agreement from the land owners.

According to the charge sheet, Azizi was induced into depositing RM9,056,124 to law firm Kumar Jaspal Quah & Aishah, where How was a partner.

Both alleged offences occurred at the CIMB Bank at Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara, here between Dec 24, 2010 and Jan 4, 2012.

The first charge under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust is punishable by up to 20 years prison, whipping and a fine.

The alternate charge under Section 420 for cheating is punishable by up to 10 years prison, whipping and a fine.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhd Ilhami Ahmad urged the court to fix bail at RM500,000 and order How to surrender his passport, given the large amount of money allegedly embezzled.

How’s counsel Datuk K. Kumaraendran pleaded for a lower bail, saying his client had an unblemished record over the last 24 years in legal practice.

He requested that his client be allowed to keep his passport, as he travels often for work.

He also planned to go on a business trip to Paris from March 9 to March 20.

Judge Abdul Rashid Daud allowed bail at RM300,000 with one surety, and ordered How to surrender his passport on March 21.

He set April 8 for mention.

Lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, who acted as watching brief for Azizi, said the plot of land was located in Klang Lama and was to be purchased through his client’s company Newlake Development Sdn Bhd.