KUALA LUMPUR: A former political secretary to the chief minister was charged at magistrate's court in Miri, Sarawak with seven counts of fraud related to the sale of land involving losses of more than RM1.1 million.
According to The Borneo Post, the accused, Robert Ayu, pleaded not guilty to all charges when he was produced before magistrate Randu Rangen.
The report said the accused, 61, was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries the maximum 10 years' jail term, whipping and a fine, if convicted.
According to the charge sheet, Robert had allegedly deceived a married couple and a company in the sale of a plot of land in the Lambir area.
This resulted in the couple as well as the company, through their lawyers, handing over money in the form of six cheques and one online transaction totaling RM1,152,688.00.
Based on the facts of the case, the accused had allegedly committed the offences in two separate locations, namely at a legal firm at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre and at a premises in Jalan Kwang Tung here, between May 27, 2015 and Feb 12, 2020.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Mudzilawati Abdul Rahman proposed bail of RM100,000 with two local sureties for all seven charges.
Counsels Zainuranisa Bani and Nico Langgie Ngumbang, who represented the accused, appealed for bail of RM500 for each charge on the grounds that their client was declared bankrupt in 2021 and is currently experiencing financial difficulties.
The magistrate set bail at RM1,500 with one local surety for each charge. The magistrate also fixed May 15 for trial.
Robert was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court. He was also ordered to report to the investigating officer every month until the case concluded.
