PKFZ: Phang freed from CBT charges involving RM254.85 mln

The Shah Alam Sessions has acquitted former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang on three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM254.85 million in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

After seven years facing the charges, judge Slamat Yahya on Tuesday discharged and acquitted Phang from the charges after the Attorney-General's Chambers granted Phang's representation over the charges.

Her lawyer Francis Ng Aik Guan, when contacted, said the prosecution had asked for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) but he had objected to it and applied for a total discharge amounting to an acquittal.

"The judge allowed our application and acquitted my client," he said.

The trial of the case had begun and the court had heard evidence from three prosecution witnesses.

In December 2009, Phang was charged, as a general manager entrusted with funds in an account with RHB Bank Berhad, with committing criminal breach of trust of RM98,700,000 at the Port Klang Authority in Jalan Pelabuhan Utara, Port Klang, between Oct 1, 2004 and Sept 5, 2005.

She was also charged with committing two other similar offences involving RM21,600,000 and RM134,550,000 at the same place between Sept 30, 2005 and May 9, 2006 and between June 1, 2005 and Jan 13, 2006, respectively.

Phang was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine. -- BERNAMA