KUALA LUMPUR: A Singaporean businessman claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on Friday (Nov 13) to a charge of criminal breach of trust involving 500,000 share units belonging to a company.
Poh Po Lian, 68, together with another individual still at large, were accused of committing CBT on the 500,000 share units in Victoria Island Club Bhd, which was entrusted to them by Tan Sri Ta Kin Yan.
Poh allegedly transferred the shares to one Jennifer Kok Sau Keng without the agreement of six individuals who should have received their own shares.
The offence was allegedly committed at a residence in Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, near here on July 31, 2022.
Poh was accused under Section 406 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, and faces a maximum 10-year imprisonment and whipping and fine, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Dr Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin offered bail at RM1mil in two sureties, including a Malaysian bailor with a permanent address in Malaysia.
"The prosecution is also seeking additional bail conditions, whereby the accused must report his attendance to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office and must refrain from harassing witnesses in the case.
"The prosecution does not intend to withhold the accused's passport considering he is a foreigner and the passport is an important travel document for him to go back to and from Singapore. On that factor, we feel a RM1mil bail is appropriate," she said.
Lawyer Datuk Jerald Gomez, who represented Poh, however, asked for a lower bail amount as Poh was not a flight risk.
He said his client has been in the country for more than 30 years and possesses a pass under Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
"My client has many companies with various assets in Malaysia. He has properties located at prime locations in the country, including Pavilion Bukit Bintang and Penang," Gomez said.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad fixed bail at RM400,000 in two sureties, who must be Malaysians, and allowed the additional bail conditions.
The case is set for mention on Dec 8.
