Former Umno leader, lawyer charged with sabotaging economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and lawyer Matthias Chang were charged with attempt to sabotage banking and financial services in the country at the magistrate's court here today.
They were alleged to have committed the offence between June 28 and Aug 26 at several locations, which are:
» at the office of the Chief of the Police, economy and financial division in Paris, France
» Charing Cross police station in London, United Kingdom
» Attorney General Office in Switzerland
» WaiChan Polics station, Hong Kong
» Police headquarters in Cantonement, Singapore
The charge for attempt to commit sabotage were read to the duo at the Magistrates Court here this morning, under Section 124L of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum of 15 years jail upon conviction.
No plea was recorded.
Deputy public prosecutor Masri Mohd Daub asked for one month to obtain written sanction from the attorney-general to transfer the case to the High Court.
However, Khairuddin's lawyer, Haniff Khatri Abdulla, applied for the case to be transferred immediately if the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) procedural law is applied in the case.
He said if Sosma is not used, then they will be applying for bail for the two accused.
He added that the duo were detained under Sosma and that Khairuddin had made an "habeas corpus" application which will be heard today.
Chang's lawyer, Zainur Zakaria, said there is no need for a month to decide whether the case falls under Sosma or not.
Magistrate Siti Radziah Kamarudin allowed two weeks for the prosecution and fixed Oct 26 for mention.