Chinese national claims trial on RM6.18 mln cheating charges linked to Mambong clinker plant

KUCHING (April 2): A project manager of an engineering firm has claimed trial in the Magistrates’ Court here to three counts of cheating involving over RM6.18 million in connection with a clinker plant project in Mambong worth RM17.33 million.

The 57-year-old Chinese national pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali after all the charges framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same Code were read to him.

For the first charge, the man is alleged to have cheated a third party individual into spending at least RM6,184,450 for earthworks at the plant site between Sept 2, 2025 and Dec 11, 2025.

For the second charge, he allegedly deceived the same victim regarding the volume of earthworks extracted in October 2025, which amounted to a claim of RM6,184,450.

According to the third charge, the man is accused of deceiving the victim into believing he would receive RM10 million commission if he secured the project, thereby inducing him to assist in obtaining the project.

The offences were allegedly committed at a plant site on Jalan Mambong, in Padawan.

The court allowed bail at RM3,000 (deposited) with two local sureties for each charge and his passport not to be surrendered.

The project manager was also ordered to report to the nearest police station once a month while his passport was not surrendered.

In applying for bail, counsel Daniel Ling said his client, who is attached to the company, carries heavy responsibilities and may need to travel within Malaysia, including to Kuala Lumpur, for work-related meetings, and requested that his passport not be impounded.

Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly appeared for the prosecution.

Meanwhile, the first individual who was allegedly involved in the same case, a managing director of the firm, was absent as he is currently in China and expected to be charged on April 9.

In a separate courtroom, a freelance in-house surveyor pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan to a charge under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

He is accused of cheating the same victim in October 2025 at the same project site by allegedly providing a false and inaccurate land survey measurement for earthworks, which induced the victim to make a claim based on the inaccurate measurement.

The surveyor was represented by counsel Yong Suk Hui, while deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani prosecuted.

Insp Magenderan Muniandy is conducting the investigation.

Both magistrates have fixed May 6 for pre-trial case management.