Jawi: A man declared bankrupt has pleaded not guilty in the Jawi Magistrate's Court to 207 charges related to conducting business and entering into contracts without disclosing his bankruptcy status.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tang Wee Tat, 62, was accused of conducting business or entering into contracts as a director of Global Max Resources Sdn Bhd with Lien Dak Engineering Sdn Bhd without informing the other party of his undischarged bankruptcy status. The charges involve signing six Letters of Award and 201 official correspondences, allegedly committed between May 10 and August 21, 2023, for the Letters of Award, and between November 26, 2021, and May 6, 2024, for the other correspondences in Batu Kawan, Seberang Perai Selatan.

All charges fall under Section 109(1)(m)(ii) of the Insolvency Act 1967, which can result in up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both if convicted. The case's investigating officer, Inspector Ain Najwa Abdul Nasser, suggested a bail of RM5,000 for each charge and requested that all charges be heard together.

The accused's lawyer, K. Thangesvaran, argued for a reduced bail due to his client's health issues, specifically being a kidney patient, and his bankruptcy status since 2017. He did not oppose the prosecution's request for a joint hearing of all charges, citing their connection to the same transaction.

Magistrate Nurul Aina Ahmad approved a total bail of RM60,000 for all charges and agreed to the joint trial request. The court has set July 28 for the next mention of the case.