Chief Justice Rules All Charges Against Ex-Minister To Stand
By CT Hi Mahmod & Malal FadleyRizal & Rol Ezam

Ex-Minister of Development arriving at Brunei' s court. Photo: Rudolf Portillo

Bandar Seri Begawan - Monday's application of hearing for Pengiran Dr Hj Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Damit, former Minister of Development, and his co-respondent, Wong Tim Kai, to remove some of the charges on the grounds of duplication of offences, was overruled before the Brunei High Court yesterday.

Chief Justice Dato Mohammad Saied at the second day of the trial proceedings yesterday overruled the Defence Counsel's objection to the manner in which charges were drafted, and ruled the proposed charges to be proper.

Therefore pleas will be recorded, that is, the 12 consolidated charges for each defendant, Pengiran Dato Haji Ismail as first defendant and Wong Tim Kai as second defendant, still stands and includes the three charges tinder Section 6 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and nine charges under Section 165 of the Brunei Penal Code.

The trial was adjourned abruptly, shortly after the Chief Justice made his judgment, due to the unavailability of the court's Mandarin interpreter for the second defendant Wong Tim Kai, who said he would feel more comfortable if his charges were read in Mandarin.

Thus, the charges against Wong Tim Kai were not read to him. It was guaranteed before the High Court that a Mandarin interpreter would be made available to replace the court's interpreter, who has taken ill.

The trial will continue today with charges against both defendants read to them. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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