Former SCIB CEO claims trial over false financial statements

KUCHING (March 12): The former managing director and chief executive officer of Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (SCIB) pleaded not guilty today to a charge of furnishing false statements in the company’s financial report at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

Rosland Othman, 52, appeared before Judge Azrul Darus around 10am, accompanied by officials from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).

He was charged with providing false statements in SCIB’s Interim Financial Report on Consolidated Results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, while serving as a director of the company.

The alleged offence occurred at Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, Exchange Square, Bukit Kewangan, on Sept 30, 2021.

The charge was framed under Section 369(b)(B) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not more than RM3 million upon conviction.

Rosland pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was represented by counsel Shastidaran Sathaiseelan while the SC was represented by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Hafiz Mohd Yusoff together with DPPs Hashley Tajudin and Quek Yiing Huey.

Judge Azrul allowed bail of RM500,000 with one surety and ordered Rosland to surrender his passport to the court.

The court fixed May 7 for case management.

Separately, the SC also secured a warrant of arrest earlier today against former SCIB chairman and non-executive, non-independent director Dato Dr Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah.

According to the SC, Mohd Abdul Karim is wanted for the same offence under Section 369(b)(B) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 for his alleged involvement in causing the furnishing of false statements by SCIB to Bursa Malaysia.

Mohd Abdul Karim was previously charged by the SC in 2021 for a similar offence involving false information in the financial statements of Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd.

The matter was later resolved via compound after the Public Prosecutor accepted Mohd Abdul Karim’s representation, with a compound of RM3 million imposed.

The SC said Mohd Abdul Karim, who is currently at large, is now sought for criminal prosecution after the Public Prosecutor granted consent to proceed with charges against him.