KUALA LUMPUR: After 16 long years, a man who is now in his 70s is finally charged in the Sessions Court today with cheating a "Datuk" by issuing a RM500,000 cheque in purported investment returns from a bank account that was closed.
Ch'ng Kee Guan, 74, was accused of cheating Datuk Dr Chang Seng Kooi at Wisma Zelan in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, here on March 2, 2008.
He made his plea after the charge was read out to him in Mandarin before judge Hamidah Mohamed Deril.
The charge under Section 420 of the Penal Code carries a jail term not less than one year and a maximum 10 years; whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Raihanah Abd Razak asked the court to set bail at RM100,000 in one surety.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Manjit Singh pleaded for a lower bail as his client was suffering multiple health issues.
"He is unemployed, diabetic and has heart problems. He has poor eyesight and he had fallen off the stairs two weeks ago. This charge comes only after 16 years. The aim of the bail is to ensure his attendance, so I ask for a low sum," he said.
The court allowed a RM10,000 bail in one surety and set Nov 27 for mention. It was not known why it took so long for the accused to be brought to court.