KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project has been postponed for a third time to Oct 31.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Nordin Hassan told the court that the prosecution needed more time to come to a final decision regarding a letter of representation sent to them by the defence on March 20.

Chan's lead counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan said he had no objections to the application.

High Court judge Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim, who is from Penang, said this was the third time he had come down here to hear the case.

"I did not come down to 'makan angin' (sightsee)," Justice Zamani said. "I am ready to proceed with the case at any time.

"I hope this date will be the final date to determine whether the representation will be accepted or not."

He added he did not wish the courts system to be perceived as inefficient and unprepared to handle the case.

All previous scheduled trial dates have been vacated. Justice Zamani set the trial date for Oct 31.

On Feb 28 last year, Chan claimed trial to cheating then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) as the turnkey developer for the trans-shipment hub project in Pulau Indah Free Zone at a cost of RM1bil.

He faces two more charges of cheating Abdullah by inducing him to approve KDSB for additional development work at PKFZ, including electrical infrastructure work for RM135mil, a RM90mil business class hotel and building concrete trenching for electric cables for RM140mil.

In all three charges, he was alleged to have hidden the fact that the development costs would be financed through bonds by KDSB via Transshipment Megahub Bhd with his support.

Related Stories:
Chan's PKFZ trial moved to May 21
Kong Choy's trial postponed to April 23
PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges
Kong Choy denies cheating in PKFZ scandal

• Malaysia in demand with investors
• IOI Corp injects property biz into new entity for RM9.76bil under demerger
• Asian shares mostly rise, dollar takes breather
• Navis invests in Singapore's electronic waste company
• Moody's: Malaysia's economy grew 5.7% in Q1
• CSC Steel hits high of RM1.45 after firmer earnings
• Trading in I-Bhd halted after MoU inked for RM580m mall
• Verizon Wireless to pay surprise US$7bil dividend
• Emails show lobbyists, not insiders, underpinned U.S. market-moving report
• KLCI eases in early trade, Sime, Genting weigh
• Trading ideas: MMC, Malton, Scomi
• RHB Research maintains Buy on Gamuda, FV RM5.45
• Glass Lewis: Goldman shareholders should vote no on compensation
• UK housing demand highest in 3-1/2 years
• Affin Research maintains Buy, TP RM3.70

• U.S. TV psychologist Joyce Brothers dies at age 85
• Panic grips Saudis as toll rises from SARS-like virus
• DiCaprio environmental art auction tops $33 million
• Three astronauts return to Earth after ISS mission
• Minnesota becomes 12th US state with gay marriage
• Taiwanese fishermen burn Filipino flags in protest
• Ice wall crashes into Canada cottages

• Zhang, Ding out to defend World titles in Paris
• Jun Hoong-Wendy continue fine form with bronze in 3m springboard
• Peng Soon says he’s physically and mentally ready for the Sudirman Cup
• Coach Tat Meng hopes the women will rise to the occasion
• Wei Keat aims to make an impact in Thailand Grand Prix Gold
• Rugby team set sights on promotion to Division One
• High stakes as KLHC and Tenaga aim to make history
• Revington selects five more players but trims national squad
• Alia eager to test her skills against world’s best in Munich
• Shariffuddin over the moon after selection to 600cc
• Inconsistent outing for Nabil in Belgium
• Champ Vettel blames Red Bull staff as Mercedes’ Rosberg is mystified
• Woods silences Garcia after winning golf’s richest prize by two strokes
• Madrid winners Nadal and Serena are favourites at Roland Garros
• Federer and Murray not worried over gay players

• Please wait.

• Cyclone takes the heat for hot weather
• If you want to go far work early and hard on personal branding
• AirAsia X offers free tickets to any destination for initial public offering to retail investors
• Doc held for posing as cop to extort businessman
• Allianz aims for RM150mil in new premiums
• Couple upset over baby’s death
• From tomorrow, city cabbies can pick up passengers from KLIA
• Khaled Nordin sworn in as Johor MB (Updated)
• Malaysia's I-Bhd and Thailand's CPN in mall joint venture with GDV of RM580mil
• Bomoh tricks desperate wife