KUCHING: A home construction company manager pleaded not guilty to offering non-existent construction works to homeowners in Kuching and Padawan.
The accused Ho Wee Khiang, 49, pleaded not guilty to three charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code, read before Magistrate Zaiton Annuar on Monday (Sept 20).
Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Maria Rasid said if convicted, the Section provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, whipping and fine.
She pointed out that the accused committed the offence last December and he was arrested by Kuching police on Sept 11.
“A total of two investigation papers were opened in Kuching and Padawan against the accused involving a total loss of RM97,000.
“The accused committed this offence while in Kuching, where he had offered alleged housing construction works to the victims and asked them to make payment for such work.
“After payments were made via online transfer into the bank account of the company owned by the accused, the promised construction works were not done,” she told.
Maria said that Magistrate Zaiton offered a RM5,000 cash bail with one local surety for two charges and another RM2,500 cash bail with one local surety for the third charge, however, the accused failed to pay and was unable to provide the local sureties.
The accused was then remanded in custody at the Puncak Borneo Prison.
She added that the Court has set Oct 21 for the pre-trial case management.
The prosecution was handled by prosecuting officer ASP Hisyam Junaidi and the accused was represented by a counsel.
