The case involving three Malaysians facing 45 charges of conspiring to cheat Hyatt Borneo Management Services (HBMS), a service provider based at Istana Nurul Iman, opened with the prosecution calling in a baker to testify in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Rozaimah Abdul Rahman and Prosecutor Atiyyah Abas notified the parties that they have provided copies of the documents and digital forensic evidence intended as prosecution evidence.
Senior Magistrate Hajah Ervy Sufitriana binti Haji Abdul Rahman adjourned the trial to April 24 to allow for the inspection of the original documents by the defence prior to the calling of other witnesses.
Defence counsel Ang Swee Kiang of Messrs Yu and Chiew is representing Sam Ying Kok. Juanita binti Dato Paduka Haji Jemat from Messrs Fathan and Co represented Iskak bin Rahmat.
Abdul Sani bin Abdul Mutalib is represented by Sharah Abdul Hamid of Messrs ZS Legal.
The charges arise from investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
In their findings, Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan, a long-time flour supplier to HBMS supplied expired ‘Dawn’ brand baking flour to HBMS.
The ‘Dawn’ flour was allegedly surplus from orders made by Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan during the COVID-19 pandemic and was unsold past its expiration date.
After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, the company sold the expired flour to HBMS.
The ACB launched an investigation in June 2022 where they arrested Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan General Manager Sam, 51; HBMS pastry chef Iskak, 56; and HBMS Materials Manager Abdul Sani, 56.
The allegations stated that Sam conspired with Iskak and Abdul Sani to cheat HBMS into believing that the ‘Dawn’ baking flour supplied and delivered by Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan between February 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 was still usable when it was expired. With the deception, HBMS ordered and subsequently made payment totalling BND25,780. – Fadley Faisal
