SHAH ALAM: A businessman claimed trial to three charges of cheating two men of RM5.5 million to facilitate a non-existent highway project and sales and services tax (SST) payment two years ago.
Datuk Mohamad Feardaus Khairuddin, 50, made the plea before Sessions Court judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud.
On the first and second charge, he was accused of fraudulently cheating the victims, aged 54 and 58, and induced them into handing over to him RM3.7 million and RM1.3 million cash each.
The monies were purportedly for dealings to offer works for the design, building and completion of the non-existent highway project called Lebuhraya Padang Besar-Bukit Kayu Hitam-Jitra-Padang Terap-Teloi-Kulim-Changkat Jering, or "Northern Ekspress Alternative Road".
He was alleged to have committed the offences between Nov 4 and 9, 2022, at a premises in Mines Resort City in Seri Kembangan, Kajang.
On the third charge, Feardaus was charged with cheating the second victim into giving him RM500,000 cash purportedly for SST payment linked to the project.
He was alleged to have committed the offence at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, on Dec 13 last year.
All three charges framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code carry sentences of imprisonment of not less than a year and not more than 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Aida Khairuleen Azli offered bail of RM80,000 with one surety.
In mitigation, defence lawyer R.L. Paniercelvan pleaded for RM40,000 bail for his client.
"He has been in the business field for over 10 years. He has two wives and six children and he is the sole breadwinner.
"One of his wives will post bail and I ask for a reasonable sum. He does not have a passport and as the old one has expired and has not been renewed," he said.
Awang Kerisnada then set bail at RM50,000 with one surety.
He ordered the accused not to contact witnesses directly or through a third party.
He also ordered the prosecution to confirm the status of Ferdaus' passport with the Immigration Department.
The court then set Sept 27 for mention.