Branded items tendered as evidence at ex-senior officer's trial

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-one branded items were tendered as evidence in the trial today of a former senior officer of the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) who is accused of 32 charges of misusing his position and submitting false claims involving RM38.4 million.
Three clutches, 14 wallets and four pairs of sunglasses of various brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior Home, Tom Ford, Linda Farrow, Fendi Roma, Prada, Cartier, Richard Mille and Giorgio Armani were presented before the court by Supt Asmawi A/L Kulup Lam, 37, in the trial of Otman Arsahd, 59.
Testifying as the prosecution's 49th prosecution witness, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior assistant officer unwrapped each item one by one and also produced their certificates of authenticity.
He told MACC deputy public prosecutor Aaron Chelliah that the 31 items and other valuables were seized in relation to the case.
On April 21, 2016, Otman who was represented by counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, was charged with 64 counts of receiving RM16,623,000 from illicit activities in the form of cheque through Maybank, RHB and CIMB Berhad between March 7, 2012 and Dec 11, 2015.
Otman also faces 63 counts with Abdul Gafar, 44, a director of a sports equipment supplier under KBS and his wife Siti Rohanah, 44, of transferring RM15,723,000 derived from illicit activities through 63 transactions from the bank accounts of three of their companies to Otman's bank account in the same period.
The three are accused of committing the offences at a number of locations among them, RHB Bank, Precinct 8 branch in Putrajaya, Menara Maybank Jalan Tun Perak and Maybank Jalan Raja.
Abdul Gafar and Siti Rohanah were represented by Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos.
The trial continues tomorrow before judge Azura Alwi. — Bernama