A former executive chairman denies cheating a subcontractor over a mining project, facing charges that carry up to 10 years in jail.
SHAH ALAM: A former executive chairman of a mining-related company pleaded not guilty to cheating a subcontractor over a RM2.5 million project.
Zahri Ismail, 53, is accused of deceiving Toh Chee Seng into believing he could secure a mining project in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
The charge alleges this prompted Toh to deposit RM2 million, RM250,000, and another RM250,000 into three of Zahri’s bank accounts between June 2020 and June 2021.
The offences, allegedly committed at three banks in Kota Damansara and Petaling Jaya, fall under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
This section carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a possible fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor ‘Atirah Mohd Azuarizanuddin proposed bail be set at RM100,000 with additional conditions.
She requested the accused report to the MACC office monthly and not interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Defence lawyer Wan Muhammad Hafiz Wan Zawawi requested no bail, citing his client’s heart problems and existing bail in other cases.
The lawyer stated Zahri has posted RM50,000 and RM20,000 bail for related charges in Kota Bharu and Alor Setar courts.
Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin set bail at RM20,000 with one surety and imposed the prosecution’s requested conditions.
The court scheduled the next mention of the case for March 1.
It was previously reported that Zahri faces 13 counts of misappropriating RM485,500 in company property in Kota Bharu.
He also faces five fraud charges totalling RM1.38 million in the Alor Setar Court.
