Ex-Minister Trial Hears 18th Witness
By Abd. Rahim Mohd Taib

Bandar Seri Begawan - The High Court continued yesterday with the trial of Pg Indera Wijaya Pg Dr Ismail Pengiran Damit, Brunei's former minister of development, and his alleged co-respondent, Wong Tim Kai.

The session saw Ahmad Basuni Abas, the legal counsel for Pg Dr Ismail, cross-examining the 18th witness for the prosecution, Ahmad Udin. The latter currently holds the position of the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Land.

Ahmad Udin was questioned on his involvement with the consideration of the appeal letter of TED Sdn Bhd. He told the court yesterday he forwarded the appeal of TED Sdn Bhd regarding their application of additional Temporary Occupation License (TOL) land to the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department and the Ministry of "Development Permanent Secretary at that time.

He admitted he saw the letter of TED Sdn Bhd requesting additional land plot since the plot awarded to them earlier was not sufficient for them to conduct their business. One of the issues raised by the defence counsel yesterday was whether he examined the history of application from TED Sdn Bhd after he took over the position from the previous land officer, Siti Hafsah Abdul Hamid.

"When you took over from Siti Hafsah, did you examine the history of application from TED Sdn Bhd?" asked Ahmad Basuni.

"No, I did not," said Ahmad. Ahmad Udin who was called to read his statement early November, which inrluded the following: "On 1st August 1991 there was rotation of officers in the Commissioner of Land's Office and I took over the duties of Dyg Siti Hafsah binti Hj Abdul Hamid, a Land Officer."

He also mentioned that he received a memorandum dated December 18, 1991 signed by Dyg Norliha Abdul Ghani together with attachments concerning the TOL Committee's earlier approval of 1.3 acres of TOL land to be given to TED Sdn Bhd. "On January 11, 1992, I received an appeal letter with enclosures from Pehin Kapitan Cina Dato Lim Teck Hoo appealing for 2.45 acres of TOL Land in Mulaut," Ahmad also said in his statement earlier this year.

The ex-minister ad Wong Tim Kai are facing 12- charges which include multiple corruption charges.

They could be jailed for 10 years and fined $30,000 if found guilty under section 7(1) Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 131. They are also being charged for an offence under section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22.

During the hearing yl terday, Andrew Mac Rae led the prosecutors assisted by DPP Aldila Mohd Salleh and Maggie Wong. The hearing continues today.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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