Published: Thursday March 14, 2013 MYT 5:03:00 PM
Updated: Thursday March 14, 2013 MYT 9:15:04 PM
Former PUNB officers lose appeal in RM5bil fraud case
By QISHIN TARIQ
Ahmad Zukni (third from left) and Mohamad Aminuddin Mohamed (right) were sentenced to five and four year jail term respectively. PUTRAJAYA: Two former senior officers of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) were jailed after losing their appeal before the Court of Appeal (COA) here on Thursday.
In the previous High Court decision, former chief executive officer Ahmad Zukni Johari, 71, and former company secretary Mohamad Aminuddin Zain, 57, were jailed five and four years respectively for falsifying share and bond certificates amounting to US$5bil (RM19bil).
The COA panel consisting Justice Abu Samah Nordin, Azahar Mohamed and Mohd Zawawi Salleh unanimously upheld the decision, saying they saw no need to intervene.
Justice Azahar, said the duo's actions showed their actions indicated they wanted to unlawfully profit themselves.
He added that while the actions did not result in unlawful profit to them nor any losses to the company, their actions were still deceptive.
Justice Azahar listed 11 factors that contributed to the decision, including the duo's decision not to obtain the board's approval, their order to destroy evidence pertaining to the issuance of the bonds, and concealing so called 'business trips' from the board.
Counsel for Ahmad Zukni, Sulaiman Abdullah pleaded for leniency, saying any jail sentence would effectively be a life sentence considering his client's age.
"With this trial hanging over his head for the last 12 years, he has lost his job and his wife too has left him, taking much of their property with her.
“He has been twice punished, losing family and finance, with nothing to console him in these later years," Sulaiman told the court Thursday.
DPP Abdul Razak Musa said considering the seriousness of the offence, which carries a 20-year prison penalty and the fact it involved RM19bil in bonds, the prison sentence by the High Court was adequate.
The Court of Appeal maintained the sentenced handed down by the High Court and denied the defence counsel's request for a stay of execution.
Aminuddin was seen hugging his weeping wife as he was lead out of the docks, while Zukni thanked his counsel despite how the case worked out.
Zukni and Aminuddin claimed trial on Oct 10, 2002, to jointly falsifying the documents at Wisma UOA II, No 21, Jalan Pinang on Oct 13, 2000.
The Sessions Court acquitted them on Jan 27, 2010, but the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission successfully appealed against the decision.
- A-G Chambers to proceed with rape charge against Riduan
- Four members of Botak Gang nabbed
- IGP: Police to set up new Crime Prevention Department
- Health Ministry proposes to extend operating hours of clinics
- Huge education workforce
- The never-ending rape of the Camerons
- Holiday bookings spike now that Malaysians have done their civic duty
- Gan looking forward to quality time with family
- PLUS: Follow travel time advisory for smooth traffic
- Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
- State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified
- Child bride and hubby enjoying married life
- Charge Riduan, say syariah lawyers
- Bangladeshi jailed for raping teen – and wants to wed her
- Tee on leave from party
- More dividends from Pacific & Orient
- CIMB, Tenaga up as KLCI again eyes 1,800 (Update)
- Bumi Armada advances to high of RM4.14 on firmer earnings
- Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
- BOJ keeps policy on hold; Kiuchi proposes looser price target timeframe
- Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
- CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
- RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
- Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64
- JF Apex Research ups Bumi Armada FV to RM4.27
- Dow, S&P end at all time high on Fed officials' reassurance
- China's bird flu outbreak cost US$6.5bil loss
- Microsoft unveils Xbox One with Spielberg, Activision tie-up
- What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
- EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
- Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
- Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
- Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
- Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
- Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
- Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
- Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
- Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
- Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
- It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
- Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
- Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
- Elena walks her way to a new record
- Bangladeshi jailed for raping teen – and wants to wed her
- State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified
- Child bride and hubby enjoying married life
- Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
- Charge Riduan, say syariah lawyers
- Huge education workforce
- Holiday bookings spike now that Malaysians have done their civic duty
- The never-ending rape of the Camerons
- Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
- Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
- Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
- HR manager laments declining standard of English
- Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
- EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
- Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
- Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
- What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
- Huge education workforce
- Child bride and hubby enjoying married life
- State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified
RSS
