Roger Ng to remain in jail pending extradition case

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today dismissed former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng's application for bail, pending his extradition proceeding.

Ng is being sought by the US to face charges related to 1MDB.

His counsel Tan Hock Chuan had filed an application for him to be granted bail before the hearing of the extradition case – given that this was his first appearance in such a proceeding, and taking into account his medical condition.

However, judge MM Edwin Paramjothy said that Ng poses a serious flight risk, and that the interest of justice would be best served if he remains in custody pending the outcome of the extradition process.

Paramjothy also said that the respondent had not provided sufficient details on his medical condition.

Tan (photo) explained that he could not furnish Ng's medical report, as he failed to obtain it from Prison Department despite having submitted a written request.

The lawyer had previously noted that Ng was warded for five days at the Sungai Buloh Hospital in December for fever and severe diarrhoea.

In Malaysia, Ng is currently facing four counts of abetting Goldman Sachs by omitting facts and making untrue statements in relation to 1MDB-guaranteed notes and bonds, amounting to US$6.5 billion issued between 2012 and 2013.

This is in addition to the extradition request by the US Department of Justice.

Tan also brought up the issue of his limited access to Ng, saying that he was only granted one hour a week with the former banker.

"This is frustrating, and this is the reality that I am facing," the lawyer said.

Tan requested to meet his client for two sessions of two hours per week, but Paramjothy said that the matter is not within the court's jurisdiction.

The deputy public prosecutor was Mahadhir Khairuddin. - Mkini