Ex-AIAC director charged with RM1.1 million CBT
But N Sundra Rajoo, who pleaded not guilty, tells the court that he enjoys immunity from prosecution.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director N Sundra Rajoo was charged in the Sessions Court today with three counts of criminal breach of trust amounting to RM1.1 million.
On the first count, the 63-year-old is said to have misappropriated RM89,700 of the centre’s funds. On the second count, he is accused of misappropriating RM621,172.50, and on the third, RM300,495.
The offences were allegedly committed at the AIAC premises on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin here between Aug 17 and Dec 8 last year.
Sundra was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, he could be jailed up to 20 years and fined for each offence.
Sundra, who pleaded not guilty, told judge Azura Alwi that he enjoys immunity from prosecution when the charges were read to him.
Azura set bail at RM100,000 with one surety and ordered Sundra to surrender his passport to the court.
However, she said it could be released if he needs to travel overseas.
Azura also set May 3 for case mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrain Omar earlier suggested bail of RM200,000.
Lawyer Baljit Sidhu told the court the government had written to the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) in a bid to remove Sundra’s immunity, but that this was rejected.
Sundra claims the AIAC, through an international agreement and an act of Parliament, comes under the purview of AALCO.
Baljit also said his client had cooperated with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission during investigation and was not a flight risk.
“I urge the court to impose bail on a personal bond. His passport should not be impounded as that will amount to double punishment,” he added.
He said Sundra had been in Sungai Petani to attend prayers over the weekend, which accounted for the confusion when the authorities were unable to contact him.
However, Kamal said whether Sundra enjoys immunity from prosecution has not been decided by the court.
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He added that Sundra had been cooperative during the investigation but was out of reach last week when attempts were made to request his presence in court to face charges yesterday.