PETROLEUM COMPANY DIRECTOR ACQUITTED OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND CBT CHARGES

2011/10/24

KUALA LUMPUR: A former petroleum company director was discharged and acquitted by the Sessions Court here on Monday of 202 counts of money laundering amounting to RM21.8mil and three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM13mil.

Judge Asmadi Hussin made the decision in favour of Lee Ee Teong, 49, following the prosecution's failure to establish a prima facie case.

He said based on the 16 prosecution witnesses who testified throughout the trial, the court found that Lee could not be said to have committed the CBT as there was testimony stating the money was used to make off-the-record payments on behalf of the company.

"Therefore the court discharges and acquits the accused from all charges without having to enter his defence," said Asmadi.

Lee was represented by Datuk V. Sithambaran with DPPs Hamidi Mohd Noh and Hazril Harun for the prosecution.