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Ex-Minister Gets Additional Charge In Corruption Trial
By CT Hj Mahmod & Rol Ezam & Malai FadleyRizal

Bandar Seri Begawan - In a surprise move at the trial proceedings against Pg Dr Hj Ismail, former Development Minister, and his co-respondent, Wong Tim Kai, an additional charge was made against both defendants before the Brunei High Court yesterday.

There were 12 charges mentioned against each defendant in the prosecution opening argument yesterday, including the three charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and nine charges under the Penal Code.

The additional 10th charge made against both defendants has replaced each of the withdrawn charges the defendants faced.

The charges against both defendants run parallel with former minister of development, Pg Dr Hj Ismail (1st defendant), being charged with accepting gratification and Wong Tim Kai (2nd defendant) with giving the said gratification.

Pg Dr Hj Ismail being charged as principal with accepting valuable things stated in the nine Penal Code offences and his co-respondent with abetting the offence. Although there are 24 charges, there are effectively 12 allegations.

All charges were read again in the High Court yesterday to both defendants in Malay to Pg Dr Hj Ismail and in Mandarin to Wong Tim Kai. They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Standing on behalf of the Public Prosecutor was Mr Andrew Macrae, Queen Counsel (QC) from Hong Kong, assisted by the Deputy Public Prosecutors Ms Maggie Wong, Haji

Nabil Daraina PDH Badaruddin and Aldila Hj Mohd Salleh.

Mr Macrae read the charges against both defendants that read: "Each of the corruption charges alleges a different gratification accepted by Pg Dr Hj Ismail or given by Wong Tim Kai (as the case may be) as an inducement or reward for Pg Dr Hj Ismail doing certain specified acts as Minister of Development and Istana Project Supervisor (IPS)."

The additional 10th charge that has replaced the withdrawn charge against Pg Dr Hj Ismail is in relation to Lot 33999, Kampong Katok, Gadong, which read:

"That you, on or about April 21, 1999, in Brunei Darussalam, being a public servant, namely the Minister of Development in the Ministry of Development of the Government of Brunei Darussalam, did accept for yourself a valuable thing, namely, a personal guarantee in the amount of B$3,161,000 as a security for your loan of B$3,161,000 with Baiduri Bank Bhd for the purchase and development of Lot 33999 in Kampong Katok, Gadong, for no consideration or a consideration which you knew to be inadequate from Wong Tim Kai, Managing Director of Ted Sdn Bhd, whom you knew to have been, or to be, or to be likely to be concerned in any proceeding or business transacted or about to be transacted by you, and you have thereby committed an offence punishable under section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22."

Meanwhile, Wong Tim Kai was charged with abetting Pg Dr Hj Ismail, corresponding to the charge made against the former minister.

Minor amendments have been made on these 12 charges both defendants face since the case was last mentioned in October 2004.

Thirty-five witnesses are scheduled to testify commencing today throughout the trial, which is expected to last for eight to 10 weeks. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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