KOTA KINABALU: A businessman has claimed trial to three counts of allegedly cheating and receiving bribes to assist people in obtaining datukships from Pahang in 2023.
In the first count, Datuk Ling How Ee was accused of cheating and receiving RM2,500 from an individual on April 19, 2023, under the guise of helping the person purchase ceremonial gold accessories to secure the datukship from Pahang.
In the second instance, he was charged with a similar offence by allegedly receiving RM500 via bank transfer on April 20, the same year.
For the third count, he was accused of receiving RM3,000 via bank transfer for similar false intentions on May 17, 2023.
All charges are framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
Ling pleaded not guilty before Kota Kinabalu Special Corruptions Court Judge Jason Juga.
He was granted bail of RM10,000 with a local surety and is required to report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office once every two months, surrender his passport to the court until all proceedings are complete, and stay away from any prosecution witnesses.
The court fixed Sept 3 for case management.
