Former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik is “upset” with the prosecution for “running away from the truth” in an ongoing trial, in which he is accused of having cheated the government over the purchase of land for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.
Speaking to reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, Ling said: “I am upset and angry because I think the deputy public prosecutor is running away from the truth. He afraid to face the truth.”
Justice Ahmadi Aswani had earlier adjourned the trial to Feb 18 to determine the outcome of a defence representation last October todrop the charges against Ling, based on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s testimony. A second representation was submitted on Dec 4 last year.
L
ing pointed out that Mahathir said he had not felt cheated, that the cabinet decision on PKFZ had been a collective and unanimous one, and that the project had not resulted in any loss for the government.
“It’s (wrong to) charge an innocent man, now you fear it,” Ling said, noting that the case has dragged for two and half years, causing him stress, money and time.
This morning, lead prosecutor and deputy solicitor-general II Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah had asked for the adjournment up to the end of March or early April in order to study both representations
Ling’s lawyer, Wong Kian Kheong then told the court that the defence is willing to drop the second representation if this could be deemed as obstructing the trial.
Tun Majid, however, insisted that the prosecution would still require time to study the first representation closely before making any decision.
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, upon conviction.
Speaking to reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, Ling said: “I am upset and angry because I think the deputy public prosecutor is running away from the truth. He afraid to face the truth.”
Justice Ahmadi Aswani had earlier adjourned the trial to Feb 18 to determine the outcome of a defence representation last October todrop the charges against Ling, based on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s testimony. A second representation was submitted on Dec 4 last year.
L
ing pointed out that Mahathir said he had not felt cheated, that the cabinet decision on PKFZ had been a collective and unanimous one, and that the project had not resulted in any loss for the government.“It’s (wrong to) charge an innocent man, now you fear it,” Ling said, noting that the case has dragged for two and half years, causing him stress, money and time.
This morning, lead prosecutor and deputy solicitor-general II Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah had asked for the adjournment up to the end of March or early April in order to study both representations
Ling’s lawyer, Wong Kian Kheong then told the court that the defence is willing to drop the second representation if this could be deemed as obstructing the trial.
Tun Majid, however, insisted that the prosecution would still require time to study the first representation closely before making any decision.
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, upon conviction.
He also faces two alternative charges.
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