The two corporate figures are among several named in a Bloomberg report in late February about a so-called 'corporate mafia' involving MACC.
The Kuala Lumpur sessions court was told that the offer to halt the MACC probe into Revenue Group Bhd was subject to the pair's terms.
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur sessions court was told that two corporate figures allegedly linked to the so-called “corporate mafia” claimed that they could stop an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission into Revenue Group Bhd. This was disclosed in a police report filed by Revenue Group co-founder Brian Ng, which was read out in court today, The Edge reported. Brian and his brother, Dino, are jointly charged with fraudulently disposing of a company asset in 2018.
In the report lodged in March 2023, Brian claimed the offer to halt the MACC probe was made by two individuals named Chong Loong Men and Francis Leong, subject to his agreement to their terms. The report said the offer was made during a meeting in Publika on Feb 4, 2023 over a corporate dispute involving Leong and Dino. 'Chong and Leong also stated that, as a gesture of goodwill, they would instruct MACC to return me and my brother’s cellphone the following Monday. 'I felt scared and worried because Chong and Leong indirectly said that MACC was under their control and would follow their instructions or collude with them in this corporate dispute,' said the report.
Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Brian and Dino, read out the police report while cross-examining prosecution witness Eddie Ng, a co-founder and former chairman of Revenue Group. Eddie said he was unaware of the meeting, but confirmed bringing Leong into Revenue Group as an executive director on Jan 17, 2023. During the trial on Monday, the prosecution witness denied bringing Leong into the company to muscle out Brian and Dino from Revenue Group through a 'hostile takeover' of the firm. He admitted to not carrying out background checks on Leong before recommending his appointment, but disagreed that this constituted gross negligence.
Brian and Dino were charged in March 2023 with fraudulently disposing of a Toyota Vellfire, an asset belonging to Revenue Group, without the approval of the company's board of directors. The car ownership was allegedly transferred to Dino. Brian was previously chief operating officer of Revenue Group while Dino was chief technology officer. The brothers were also executive directors.
Allegations of a so-called 'corporate mafia' involving MACC emerged in a Bloomberg report in late February. The report claimed that a network of businessmen and MACC officers used raids and investigations to pressure executives into selling shares in targeted companies, forcing takeovers. The Bloomberg report had also named Chong and Leong. The Cabinet has since ordered the police, the Securities Commission, MACC and the Inland Revenue Board to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims without limiting the scope to people currently under scrutiny. Businessman Victor Chin, who has made several allegations about the scandal, has filed a lawsuit over the matter.
Is the Vellfire dispute no longer an issue, asks judge During cross-examination, Amer asked Eddie about a civil suit filed by Revenue Group against the Ng brothers, who had also filed a counter claim against Eddie. The lawyer pointed out that the suit, involving the Vellfire at the centre of the charges against Brian and Dino, had been discontinued, which Eddie confirmed. Amer: The Toyota Vellfire was the subject matter of the suit? Eddie: Yes. Amer: And the matter was settled? Eddie: Yes.
This prompted judge Rosli Ahmad to ask: 'Does this mean the company has already settled the vehicle dispute? So it is no longer an issue?' Deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How then said they were aware of the suit's settlement, and the prosecution had two months ago received letters of representation from Brian and Dino, who sought a discharge. However, Law said the Attorney-General's Chambers decided to proceed with the charge against them, though 'there is nothing stopping them from sending another letter of representation'. Amer's fellow lawyer, former MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad, then said they would be filing a second letter of representation to the AGC next month. The hearing continues on June 9.
Chong Loong Men Corporate Mafia Court Dino Ng Francis Leong MACC Revenue Group Bhd
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