Wednesday, Sep 05, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - A former remisier, who discovered he was on Interpol's wanted list after Googling his name, was yesterday charged with manipulating shares of a furniture manufacturer using proxy names eight years ago.
Datuk Goh Hock Choy, who flew in from Singapore early yesterday morning to face the charge, pleaded not guilty to creating a misleading appearance of active trading in Lii Hen Industries Bhd shares on the stock market.
He was alleged to have been indirectly involved in transactions of the shares that did not involve any change in beneficial ownership through 42 central depository securities accounts.
Goh, 50, was said to have committed the offence between March 26 and Oct 28, 2004.
Yesterday, Goh, who was dressed in jeans and a dark blazer, covered his face with a cap while walking into the courtroom.
Securities Commission (SC) deputy public prosecutor Ahsani Mohd Nasir proposed bail of RM1 million in two sureties. He also urged that the accused be ordered to surrender his passport as Goh posed a flight risk as he had businesses abroad.
"We have been informed by our investigating officer that his family is in Canada. He surrendered to us after an arrest warrant was issued," he said.
"We also sought Interpol's help. With a notice put out, he encountered problems in his business dealings and that is why he surrendered."
Sessions judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah then questioned SC investigating officer Norita Naim, who informed the judge that Goh's lawyer had informed her that "Goh had no plans to return to Malaysia".
She also told the judge that the SC obtained consent to prosecute Goh in December last year.
Goh's lawyer, Ng Boon Siong, argued that his client had willingly come back to the country to face the charge.
He said the bail amount proposed was excessive and that when Goh left the country on July 4 last year, there was no indication from the SC that he would be charged.
Ng also said his client was adjudged a bankrupt in July last year and proposed bail of between RM50,000 to RM100,000.
Goh then addressed the court and related to the judge how he found out on Google that he was a wanted man.
"I was about to sign a contract with an American company when they told me they could not proceed with the deal as I was on Interpol's list. I Googled it and confirmed this," he said.
Komathy set bail at RM300,000 in one local surety and ordered Goh to surrender his passport to the court.
She ordered him to report to the SC every two weeks and fixed Oct 4 for case management.
After Goh was charged, former businessman Siow Chung Peng, 41, was charged with abetting Goh. Ahsani proposed bail at RM350,000 in two sureties.
The accused, who did not have a lawyer, said he was asked to appear at the SC office yesterday to answer questions.
"When I got there, they told me I was going to be charged. I was shocked because I was the one who lodged a complaint to the SC about this case and how the Datuk had swindled me. From a victim, I have become a suspect," he said.
The judge then set bail at RM50,000 (S$20,000) but ordered the accused to pay RM10,000 as a security deposit. She ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report to the SC every two weeks.
Komathy set Sept 18 for mention and for Siow to appoint a lawyer.
Both accused posted bail.
KUALA LUMPUR - A former remisier, who discovered he was on Interpol's wanted list after Googling his name, was yesterday charged with manipulating shares of a furniture manufacturer using proxy names eight years ago.
Datuk Goh Hock Choy, who flew in from Singapore early yesterday morning to face the charge, pleaded not guilty to creating a misleading appearance of active trading in Lii Hen Industries Bhd shares on the stock market.
He was alleged to have been indirectly involved in transactions of the shares that did not involve any change in beneficial ownership through 42 central depository securities accounts.
Goh, 50, was said to have committed the offence between March 26 and Oct 28, 2004.
Yesterday, Goh, who was dressed in jeans and a dark blazer, covered his face with a cap while walking into the courtroom.
Securities Commission (SC) deputy public prosecutor Ahsani Mohd Nasir proposed bail of RM1 million in two sureties. He also urged that the accused be ordered to surrender his passport as Goh posed a flight risk as he had businesses abroad.
"We have been informed by our investigating officer that his family is in Canada. He surrendered to us after an arrest warrant was issued," he said.
"We also sought Interpol's help. With a notice put out, he encountered problems in his business dealings and that is why he surrendered."
Sessions judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah then questioned SC investigating officer Norita Naim, who informed the judge that Goh's lawyer had informed her that "Goh had no plans to return to Malaysia".
She also told the judge that the SC obtained consent to prosecute Goh in December last year.
Goh's lawyer, Ng Boon Siong, argued that his client had willingly come back to the country to face the charge.
He said the bail amount proposed was excessive and that when Goh left the country on July 4 last year, there was no indication from the SC that he would be charged.
Ng also said his client was adjudged a bankrupt in July last year and proposed bail of between RM50,000 to RM100,000.
Goh then addressed the court and related to the judge how he found out on Google that he was a wanted man.
"I was about to sign a contract with an American company when they told me they could not proceed with the deal as I was on Interpol's list. I Googled it and confirmed this," he said.
Komathy set bail at RM300,000 in one local surety and ordered Goh to surrender his passport to the court.
She ordered him to report to the SC every two weeks and fixed Oct 4 for case management.
After Goh was charged, former businessman Siow Chung Peng, 41, was charged with abetting Goh. Ahsani proposed bail at RM350,000 in two sureties.
The accused, who did not have a lawyer, said he was asked to appear at the SC office yesterday to answer questions.
"When I got there, they told me I was going to be charged. I was shocked because I was the one who lodged a complaint to the SC about this case and how the Datuk had swindled me. From a victim, I have become a suspect," he said.
The judge then set bail at RM50,000 (S$20,000) but ordered the accused to pay RM10,000 as a security deposit. She ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report to the SC every two weeks.
Komathy set Sept 18 for mention and for Siow to appoint a lawyer.
Both accused posted bail.
