Ling Liong Sik submits another representation

Counsel Wong Kian Kheong, who represents Dr Ling Liong Sik at the hearing on the Port Klang Free Zone, has submitted another representation seeking for the prosecution to reconsider the three charges made against the former transport minister.

Deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that the representation made on Nov 21 concerned the financing and cost of purchasing the land.

He said the prosecution needed time to scrutinise the application in order to seek the opinions of experts and accountants.

On Oct 9, Ling submitted the representation pertaining to the charges against him after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had testified.

Justice Ahmadi Asnawi fixed Jan 21 for resumption of the hearing and the prosecution must inform the court on the development of the representation before the hearing commenced.

Ling is charged with deceiving the Malaysian government when he did not disclose to the cabinet the fact that the interest rate of 7.5 percent annually was in addition to the purchase price of the state land lease 7324 Lot 67894 based on RM25 psf (per square foot) which was RM1,088,456,000, whereas he knew that the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), in determining the value of RM25 psf, had taken into account the coupon/interest rate.

He is also charged with two alternative charges (amended), deceiving and deliberately not disclosing to the cabinet the fact concerning the interest rate of 7.5 percent per year was the additional interest on the purchase price of the land lease 7324 Lot 67894 based on RM25 psf which was RM1,088,456,000. 

Ling, who was transport minister for 17 years from 1986, is charged with committing all the offences at the 4th Floor, the Prime Minister’s Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra, Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

Ling was called to enter his defence on March 9 and four witnesses had given their testimonies, including himself and Mahathir.

- Bernama