GEORGE TOWN: A chef has been charged in two separate Sessions Courts with four counts of criminal breach of trust involving more than RM19,000 belonging to a Japanese restaurant.
Ong Kah Ming, 45, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him before judge Irwan Suainbon on Monday (Sept 28).
He is accused of committing the offences at Wako Sushi Omakase Restaurant in Gat Lebuh Acheh between February and July this year.
In the first court, Ong was accused of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM9,603 entrusted to him at the restaurant.
The charge, framed under Section 406 of the Penal Code, carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Jung Kiong proposed bail at RM15,000 with one surety and requested that Ong surrender his passport to the court.
Ong, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lower bail amount.
Judge Irwan set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and ordered Ong to surrender his passport until the case is concluded, fixing Oct 27 for document submission and appointment of counsel.
In the second court, Ong pleaded not guilty to three similar charges involving RM9,758 before Sessions Court judge Juraidah Abbas.
For the first charge in the second court, Ong allegedly committed criminal breach of trust involving RM1,601.60 at 3.49pm on Feb 12.
The second charge involved RM7,057 allegedly committed at 4.52pm on July 4, while the third involved RM1,100 at 10pm on July 23.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen proposed total bail of RM45,000 for the three charges, along with conditions for Ong to surrender his passport and report to the nearest police station monthly.
Judge Juraidah set bail at RM15,000 with one surety for all three charges and granted the prosecution's additional conditions, fixing Oct 27 for mention and appointment of counsel.
