National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) executive chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail, who is facing two criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges involving RM49.7 million, filed an application to the High Court today to defer the case.

Counsel Wan Shahrizal Wan Ladin said the accused had requested for the deferment pending his appeal against the Sessions Court’s decision to reject his bid on Jan 7 last year to strike out the charges.

On Nov 22 last year, Sessions Court judge Norsharidah Awang rejected Mohamad Salleh’s application to drop the charges, ruling that they were not defective, and there was basis for trial.

According to Wan Shahrizal, the High Court had set March 19 for case management of the appeal.

Meanwhile, trial would proceed at the Sessions Court on Jan 20 and Jan 21.

Mohamad Salleh, 65, as NFC company director, was charged on March 12, 2012 with committing CBT involving RM9,758,140 through four cheques to partly finance the purchase of two units at One Menerung condominium (Parcel B1-1 and B1-2 of Block B) in Kuala Lumpur.

He is accused of committing the offence between Dec 1 and Dec 4, 2009, at CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Mohamad Salleh allegedly transferred RM40 million through a cheque into the account of a company, National Meat & Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd, that he and one of his children owned, at the same bank and address, between May 6 and Nov 16, 2009.

Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama