Seremban: A former company director pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to eight charges of improper use of company property, amounting to RM153,609 between 2019 and 2020. Chin Wei Choong, 42, made the plea after the charges were read out before Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, on four of the charges, Chin was charged as a director of Ambitious Supreme Sdn Bhd with using company property without the consent or ratification of the company's general meeting. The amounts involved were RM8,829, RM32,710, RM60,000, and RM7,070, purportedly benefiting him indirectly. The payments were allegedly made to several companies for work done for Tadika Universal Sdn Bhd, a firm with which he had an interest, via Academy Adelphi Worldwide Hotels Sdn Bhd, between November 1, 2019, and January 10, 2020.

Additionally, Chin faced four counts of a similar offence, involving sums of RM10,000, RM10,000, RM15,000, and RM10,000. These charges pertain to the improper use of company property to indirectly benefit him through a loan to Tadika Universal Sdn Bhd, again involving Academy Adelphi Worldwide Hotels Sdn Bhd between August 6 and October 28, 2020. The offences were allegedly committed at a premises in Oakland Commerce Square.

The charges were framed under Section 218(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016, with punishment under Section 218(2) of the same law. If convicted, Chin could face imprisonment for up to five years or a fine not exceeding RM3 million, or both.

Chin was granted bail of RM1,000 for each charge with one surety, and the court scheduled July 31 for mention. Prosecuting officer Muhammad Akmal Azmi from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Tan Zhi Xian represented Chin.