KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here has ordered a husband and wife to enter their defence on a charge of illegal deposit-taking, amounting to RM364,000, from the public.
Judge Mohd Kafli Che Ali made the order on Thursday (Jan 4) after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Ho Kok Keong, 62, a former chief executive officer of a telecommunications company, and housewife Koh Orchid, 56, at the end of the prosecution case.
He said both accused had three options to defend themselves: remain silent; testify under oath from the dock without being cross-examined by the prosecution; or testify under oath from the witness stand with the prosecution being allowed to cross-examine.
Lawyer Sean Dudley, representing the couple, then told the court that his clients would testify under oath from the witness stand.
Mohd Kafl set March 13 and 14 for defence proceedings.
On Aug 12, 2022 the couple pleaded not guilty to the charge of accepting a deposit in stages without a valid licence from a 49-year-old information technology instructor.
They were charged with committing the offence between Dec 16, 2015 and April 16, 2016 at a restaurant in Sentul.
The charge, framed under Section 137(1) 10 of the Financial Services Act 2013 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years or a maximum fine of RM50 million or both, upon conviction. – Bernama
