The Kuala Lumpur High Court has set Sept 4 for mention to update on the status of former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, who is still in the United States facing 1MDB-linked criminal charges there.
Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set the date during the mention of Ng’s (above) case today for allegedly abetting Goldman Sachs in the sale of guaranteed notes and bonds belonging to a subsidiary of 1MDB worth US$6.5 billion.
Previously, the court set Nov 9 as the first day of the trial against Ng, who is facing four charges of abetting Goldman Sachs in the bond sale.
On May 19 during the mention of the matter, Zaini was informed that Ng was still in the US to face a 1MDB-linked case there.
Earlier during proceedings before Zaini this morning, Ng’s lawyer, Tan Hock Chuan informed the court that his client’s case in the US is set for case management in July before a New York court.
Tan said that the US court would then later fix the trial date to hear the 1MDB-linked case there.
Tan added that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is in a better position to know the status of Ng’s case in the US because it is in touch with the US Justice Department.
“As far as my case (1MDB bonds case against Ng) is concerned, I adjourn to Sept 4 for case management.
“On my part, I would like to keep the trial dates (Nov 9 to 13). Hopefully, by Sept 4, you would have a better idea (on Ng’s status in the United States),” Zaini told parties during proceedings.
When met after proceedings, DPP Zaki Asyraf Zubir told the media that Ng’s lawyers are in a better position to know Ng’s status in the US as the lawyers are alleged to be in better close contact with the accused there.
On Dec 19, 2018, Ng was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with four counts of abetting Goldman Sachs in the sale of guaranteed notes and bonds belonging to a 1MDB subsidiary, amounting to US$6.5 billion, by omitting material facts and making false statements.
He was alleged to have perpetrated the offences at the 1MDB office, at Level 8, Menara IMC, No. 8, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, between March 19, 2012, and Nov 11, 2013.
He was charged under Section 370 (c) of Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, whereby he faces punishment of up to 10 years’ in jail, and a fine not less than RM1 million, on conviction.
Ng, 47, claimed trial to all the charges. The case was later transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
In May last year, Ng was extradited to the US to face criminal charges related to the 1MDB scandal by the US Department of Justice. - Mkini
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