Prosecution to prove CBT by Hasanah, including for purchase of luxury watches

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution will prove that former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) director-general Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid had committed criminal breach of trust (CBT) of US$12.1 (RM50.4 million) in funds belonging to the government to, among others, buy luxury watches.

Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad said the prosecution will submit evidence to show that she had received the money from outside parties on April 30, 2018 when she was the director-general of the Research Division at the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM).

“Evidence will be brought to show how the accused had fraudulently misappropriated the money by instructing her officers to purchase six luxury watches.

“The prosecution will also show that the accused made a payment to a third party by taking out the balance of the money from the Research Division office without handing it over to the Malaysian government or the division," he said in his opening speech on the first day of the trial before judicial commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh.

Muhammad Iskandar said the prosecution would present evidence that would show Hasanah had committed a criminal breach of trust with the property.

"The prosecution will show that money was given for a special purpose, but it was not carried out by the accused which resulted in a loss of US $ 12.1 million to the Malaysian government.

“Evidence will also show that the accused had failed to comply with all legal provisions, including the Treasury Instructions, with respect to the management of receiving financial contributions from outside parties.

“The accused also never handed over the money she received to the Malaysian government or the Research Division, JPM,” he added.

Muhammad Iskandar said the prosecution would also rely on the presumption under Section 409B of the Penal Code to prove that the accused had fraudulent intentions in misusing the money.

“In proving the case against the accused, the prosecution will rely on direct, circumstantial and documentary evidence to show that the offence was committed by the accused on the date, time and place as contained in the charge,” he said.

On Oct 25, 2018, Hasanah, 62, pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing CBT amounting to US$12.1 (RM50.4 million) in funds belonging to the government when serving as the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Department Research Division.

She was charged with committing the offence at the office of the Research Division in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) in Putrajaya between April 30 to May 9 2018.

The woman was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum of 20 years jail and whipping as well as fine if found guilty.

-- BERNAMA