S’gor palace suspends titles of Ling and Phang

In a statement issued by the state secretary today, the decision was made after consultations with the state royal council on Aug 19, and considering that they have been charged with “serious offences that involve the interests of the people and country”.

However, added the statement, the suspension of the awards, which carries the title “datuk” and “datin paduka”  respectively will be lifted if both are found not guilty and acquitted of the charge.

Jail term

Ling, the former transport minister, was charged under Section 418 for allegedly “misleading the Cabinet between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002 into agreeing to purchase 999.5 acres of land on Pulau Indah for a project that is now known as PKFZ, at a price of RM25 psf on a deferred payment for a 15-year period, at an interest rate of 7.5%.

The cumulative interest paid would total RM720 million at the end of the repayment period.