Ex-CEO acquitted of CBT

KUALA LUMPUR: The chief executive officer and coordinator of a non-governmental organisation were today acquitted by the Session Court over various counts of cheating and criminal breach of trust involving RM500,000.
Raja Azman Shah Raja Alang Petra (pix), 51, who was the CEO of Tabung Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Program E-Pendidikan Genius and co-accused Zuraimi Abd Rahim, 42, were seen shaking hands in the dock after judge Mohd Nasir Nordin acquitted them.
The judge found that the defence had succeeded in raising a reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case
Raja Azman was accused of cheating three victims from separate companies to give the NGO cheques totalling RM500,000 between 2006 and 2008, allegedly for the NGO's E-Pendidikan Genius Programme.
The programme was to supply, install, test and commission IT facilities and accessories for 812 schools in Perak, Negri Sembilan and Perlis.
Three of the charges are for cheating, two for criminal breach of trust (CBT) and another, for abetment.
On the first three counts, Raja Azman, through two of his employees, Hishamsol Othman and Zuraimi Abd Rahim, was alleged to have cheated three companies, namely Bakam Suci Sdn Bhd, Zamrud Enterprise and Pink Style Marketing, into investing RM500,000 with the fund.
The offence, under Section 420 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum imprisonment for 10 years and with whipping and is also liable to fine, if found guilty.
On the fourth and fifth count, Raja Azman Shah was charged with committing CBT for using the money for his personal interests. The charge, under Section 406 of the Penal Code, provides a maximum imprisonment for 10 years and whipping and fine, if found guilty.
On the charge for abetment, he was alleged to have conspired with Hishamsol and Zuraimi to cheat the owner of Zamrud Enterprise, Ng Suat Hon, 58, by deceiving her into contributing RM200,000 to the fund to obtain tax exemption from the Inland Revenue Board, despite him (Raja Azman Shah) being aware that Zamrud Enterprise was not eligible for the tax exemption.
The offence, under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 417, carries a maximum imprisonment for five years or with fine or both, upon conviction.
All the offences were allegedly committed at the office of the Tabung Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Program E-Pendidikan Genius, Suite 17.2 Level 17, Bangunan MAS, Jalan Sultan Ismail here between Sept 2006 and Jan 30, 2008.
Deputy public prosecutor Khazrin Haffiz Khalil prosecuted, while Azwan Ibrahim and Rosnan Hassan acted for Raja Azman and Zuraimi respectively.