Counsel Wong Kian Kheong, who represents Dr Ling Liong Sik in the hearing on the Port Klang Free Zone, has submitted another representation to the prosecution to reconsider the three charges against the former transport minister.

altantuya trial 160707 tun majid Deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah (right) told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that the representation made on Nov 21 concerned the financing and cost of purchasing the land.

Tun Majid said the prosecution needed time to scrutinise the application in order to seek the opinions of experts and accountants.

On Oct 9, Ling submitted the representation pertaining to the charges against him after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had testified.

Justice Ahmadi Asnawi fixed Jan 21 for resumption of the hearing, when the prosecution must inform the court on the development of the representation before the hearing commences.

azlan Ling is charged with deceiving the Malaysian government by not disclosing to the cabinet the fact that the interest rate of 7.5 percent annually was in addition to the purchase price of the state land lease 7324 Lot 67894 based on RM25 per square foot (psf) which was RM1,088,456,000, whereas he knew that the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), in determining the value at RM25psf, had taken into account the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative charges (amended) of deceiving and deliberately not disclosing to the cabinet the fact concerning the interest rate of 7.5 percent per year was the additional interest on the purchase price of the land lease 7324 Lot 67894 based on RM25psf which was RM1,088,456,000.

Ling, who was transport minister for 17 years from 1986, is charged with committing all the offences at the 4th Floor, the Prime Minister’s Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

Ling was called to enter his defence on March 9 and four witnesses had given their testimonies, including himself and Mahathir.

- Bernama