Ling seeks to recuse judge in PKFZ trial

Former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik has filed an application to recuse Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Ahmadi Asnawi from hearing the trial relating to his cheating charges over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

Initially, today was fixed for the court to being hearing the former MCA president's testimony.

On March 9, justice Ahmadi had in his 83-page judgmentordered Ling to enter his defence after he found the prosecution has proven a prima facie case against him.

Following this new development, Ling's application would have to be heard first and decided by the judge before he takes the witness stand.

Ahmadi subsequently set June 21 to hear the recusal application.

Ling is accused of cheating the government by concealing from then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet the existence of an additional 7.5 percent interest rate per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project.

The Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) had fixed the price for the land at RM25 per sq ft, or RM1.09 billion including coupon interest.

Ling was charged on July 29, 2010, under section 418 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, or a fine or both.

He faces two alternative charges of cheating and intentionally omitting information in his report to the cabinet on the additional interest rate, which carries up to five years' jail or a fine or both.

[More to come]