Prosecution Witness Continues Testimony
By Abdul Rahim Mohd Taib

Bandar Seri Begawan - The High Court continued' the trial yesterday for the corruption case of the ex-minister' of development, Pengiran Indera Wijaya Pengiran Dr Ismail Pengiran Damit and his corespondent, Wong Tim Kai. The trial was heard before the Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Mohammed Saied.

The former minister, Pengiran Indera Wijaya Pg Dr Ismail Pg Damit and his alleged corespondent, Wong Tim Kai were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and another charge under the Penal Code.

The defence counsel yesterday continue to cross examine the current prosecution witness, Abroad Udin, the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Land at the Land Office, Ministry of Development.

The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Land in the morning session told the court that as far as he remembered he never met with the applicant, when asked by the legal counsel Balwant Singh Sidhu to tell the court if he attended a meeting on January 9, 1992 on behalf of the Land Department and TED Sdn Bhd.

He also told the court that he never met the writer of the appeal letter from TED Sdn Bhd dated January 10, 1992, where he referred to Pehin Kapitan China Lim Teck Hoo.

The witness also told the court that he had probably met with Shirley Kua, a secretary of the second defendant Wong Tim Kai when she sent a letter but at that time the witness could not recognise her. "I only came to know Shirley Kua better in 2000," recalled Ahmad.

He added, "Based on her role as secretary, I believe all the matters relating to Temporary Occupation Licence was handled by Shirley."

Balwant then asked the wit-' ness that is was Shirley that the witness mentioned earlier who delivered a letter to him on January 11, 1992. "What I meant was the matter in 1991, I do not know who handled the matter, after 2000 I believe it was her who handled it."

Balwant Singh Sidhu, the legal counsel for Wong Tim Kai, opened the session by questioning the prosecution witness.

Andrew MacRae led the public prosecutors and was assisted by Ms Maggie Wong, DPP Aldilla Mohd Salleh and Azrimah Abdul Rahman.

While the defence team consisted of leading Malaysian lawyer Christopher Fernando assisted -by Ahmad Basuni Abas for the ex-minister and Balwant Singh Sidhu also a well-known lawyer in Malaysia appeared for Wong Tim Kai assisted by Rudi Lee from the local firm Fathan, Rudi Lee & Co. The court was adjourned and will be continued for hearing this morning.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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