The Attorney-General’s Chambers has yet to decide on a “representation letter” seeking to drop or reduce criminal charges against former transport minister Chan Kong Choy in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

NONE His lawyer Tan Hock Chuan (right) told the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning that there has been no reply to the “representation letter” sent on March 20.

When Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim asked whether this is a good sign, Tan said: "I hope this is a good sign and, to be fair to the prosecution, they may need more time to study it.”

DPP Nordin Hassan confirmed that a decision has yet to be made on the application.

"We want to be fair to all parties ...This requires us to study the charge beginning from 2004. The prosecution needs time to study the representation sent," he said.

Justice Zamani then allowed all parties to return on May 21 for a possible decision on the application.

NONE Chan (left in photo) , 56, has claimed trial to three counts of cheating then premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by deceiving him into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd as the turnkey developer to carry out development of a transshipment hub project in the Pulau Indah Free Zone, and renovation works at the PKFZ site between 2004 and 2006, amounting to RM1.9 billion.

He is alleged to have committed the offences at the fourth floor of Bangunan Perdana at the Prime Minister’s Office complex in Putrajaya.

He was charged on Feb 28 last year under Section 417 of the Penal Code and is liable to be jailed up to five years or fined or both, if convicted.

Documents received

Justice Zamani also set the same date for a possible decision on Chan's application to have the case transferred before another judge.

This follows Chan’s application to have his case heard by a Kuala Lumpur-based judge, as Justice Zamani is based in Penang.

Tan further told the court that the defence has received the documents it requires to prepare for the trial.

"The application (for the documents) was made under Section 51 of the Criminal Procedure Code. I am happy to say the prosecution has provided all the documents needed," he said.

Nordin pointed out that some of the documents requested are not in the prosecution’s possession, to which Tan said the defence is withdrawing the application.

Justice Zamani then struck out the application.