The Sessions Court has set March 21 next year for the trial of two former executives of Tourism Ministry subsidiary Pempena for alleged criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM169,770.

The duo are the company's former chief operating officer Mohammad Rosly Md Selamat and financial controller Lim Khing Tai.

Judge Rozana Ali Yusoff set the date after meeting counsel in the case in her chambers today.

The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Anas Mahadzir, Mohammad Rosly by counsel Rejender Singh and Lim by counsel Cheow Wee.

The trial will be held over five days.

On Aug 16, the duo had claimed trial to a joint charge of committing CBT involving the sum on Aug 15, 2006.

They allegedly paid the money to Umi Hafilda Ali as sponsorship for concerts by singer Amr Diab despite knowing that the payment had yet to be authorised by the Pempena board of directors.

They are accused of doing so by signing four Bumiputera Commerce Berhad cheques at the Pempena office on the 29th Floor of Menara Dato' Onn, Putra World Trade Centre here.

The were charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides for a penalty of not less than two years and up to 20 years imprisonment, whipping  and a fine upon conviction.

Mohammad Rosly also faces a separate charge together with Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg Mirza Hadi Hassan Beg of committing CBT involving RM888,000, three years ago.

- Bernama