PKFZ case: Dr Ling ordered to enter defence on cheating charges

(The Star) – The High Court here has ordered former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, 69, to enter his defence on three counts of cheating the Malaysian Government in relation to the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

Justice Ahmadi Asnawi made the decision at the end of the prosecution’s case here Friday.

Justice Ahmadi ruled the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against Dr Ling.

“From the testimonies and evidence, there was no doubt the cabinet was deceived.

Dr Ling’s lawyer Wong Kian Kheong said he will be calling 10 witnesses in the defence trial.

The defence trial is fixed for 16 days between June 18 and July 18.

Dr Ling, 69, is accused of not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), based on RM25 per sq ft, inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative (amended) charges, of cheating and intentionally not disclosing to the Cabinet that the 7.5 percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.