The Kuala Lumpur High Court has, for the third time, postponed the trial of former transport minister Chan Kong Choy to Oct 31, in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone project (PKFZ).

NONE This is because the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) have yet to make a decision on the defence representation seeking to reduce or drop the charges against Chan (right) .

Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim had strong words for both parties before granting the adjournment, telling them that this is the third time he has come from Penang to hear the case.

"I want to let the public know that the court and I are prepared to hear the case today. This is not my style in granting adjournment as you can (see from) my track record in Penang,” he said.

“But as you (the public in the gallery) have heard, the prosecution this time has applied for a postponement because the AG's Chambers have yet to make a decision and want (an extended) date (to arrive at) a conclusive decision. I do not want to be seen as condoning applications for an adjournment,” he said.

"Let it be known that the court is not the one that wants to postpone the case. I do not want to travel (to Kuala Lumpur) for sightseeing. I am here to work and am paid to work, and this is the third time the case is being postponed. If there is no decision by Oct 31, you will bear the consequences.”

The court had fixed the trial dates in June and August. However, DPP Nordin Hassan, the deputy head of the prosecution division, applied for another adjournment today, saying a decision is expected by October.

Justice Zamani then said the AGC can have the whole of October.

“Hence ....I am fixing it on the last day. I also do not want to be seen by the public as not wanting to hear this case. I hope that this will be the final postponement on the representation,” he said.

NONE “If the representation is accepted, so be it. However, if a decision is reached before Oct 31, please inform the court early and don’t wait for that day as this would not be good for the accused.”

On April 23, Chan's lawyer Tan Hock Chuan (left) , had applied for a postponement because the AGC had yet to decide on the representation letter sent on March 20.

A representation is where the defence seeks to have the charge reduced or dropped. However, in some cases, the AGC may decide to enhance the charge.

Defence objection questioned

Justice Zamani also questioned the defence application for a Kuala Lumpur-based High Court judge to hear the case, asking why the lawyers object to his hearing the case.

The judge said he does not know Chan and has not met the accused until he was charged.

“So I cannot fathom the application to have a Kuala Lumpur-based judge to hear the case. For your information, the three Kuala Lumpur-based criminal judges - Justices Zabidin (Mohd Diah), Su (Geok Yiam) and Ghazali (Cha) - are scheduled to be transferred out.

“I do not know who is coming in, it could be me. But if I am coming here, do you still want to remove me? However, we will deal with the situation when it (occurs).

abdullah ahmad badawi pm anti inflation pc 090608 Chan, 56, is charged with three counts of cheating then premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (left) 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, valued at 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.