Former lawyer charged for embezzling RM2.25m from clients

KUALA LUMPUR: A former lawyer was charged with committing criminal breach of trust amounting to RM2.25 million, which was the money from the sale of a property, for his own use, at a Sessions Court here today.
Mohd Haidar @ Hasmayudin Mohd Hashim, 45, was entrusted with the "differential sum" of RM750,000 and another RM1.5 million, which is the full payment on balance purchase price from Soo Hoo Sue Ling and Chan Kam Sum to Noraini Shikh Muhamud Bohari for the sale of property belonging to Noraini, as stated in the "Sale and Purchase Agreement" dated Jan 8, 2016.
He is alleged to have used the amount for his own use.
The offence was allegedly committed at the office of Messrs Mohd Haidar at Bangsar Avenue 3, Jalan Kerinchi, between May 9, 2016 and July 1, 2016.
The offence is under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with a minimum of two years jail sentence and a maximum of 20 years jail with whipping and a fine, upon conviction.
Mohd Haidar claimed trial to the charge.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamarul Aris Kamalluddin suggested RM100,000 bail in one surety and an order for the passport to be surrendered to the court.
Mohd Haidar, who was wheeled in to the court, stood up and asked for a bail amount between RM20,000 to RM30,000.
He said he has to pay his medical bill, which amounts to almost one million ringgit.
He said he suffered a stroke in Australia and incurred a medical bill of about AU$310,000 (RM984,742).
Sessions judge Zulqarnain Hassan granted RM40,000 bail and fixed July 11 for hearing.