KUDAT: A 66-year-old businessman was freed from a charge of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM20,000, without his defence being called.
Sessions Court Judge Akhirudin Acho discharged and acquitted Ong Boon Chew after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
Advertisement
.gif)
Ong was accused of breaching the trust given to him as a company director of Syarika Forestnation Sdn Bhd, which had entrusted him with company funds.
He allegedly committed the offence between 12.15pm and 12.53pm on Feb 8, 2024, at Syarikat Guan On Hardware Sdn Bhd in Kota Belud.
The offence under Section 409 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between two and 20 years, whipping, and liability of a fine upon conviction.
The prosecution had called six witnesses during the trial, which ran from Aug 27, 2025 until March 17 this year.
The court also ordered the return of the bail sum posted by Ong.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tham Pou Jin conducted the prosecution, while counsel Aaron Mark Pius represented the accused.
