KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): Asia Media Group Bhd, whose founder Datuk Ricky Wong has gone missing following allegations of money laundering, said its auditors Messrs STYL Associates PLT have voluntarily resigned, and that the group is now looking to appoint another to audit its financial statements for the financial year ended Sept 30, 2020.
Asia Media said it received a notice in writing today from STYL on their resignation, which took effect on the same day.
"The reason for STYL resignation is due to manpower issues," said Asia Media in a stock exchange filing, adding STYL were reappointed its auditors at the last annual general meeting (AGM) of the group that was held on June 11, to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM.
Asia Media said it will make the due announcements once it finalises the appointment of a new auditor.
In April, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said it had sought help from Interpol and the public to track down Wong over alleged money laundering. At the time, the SC said Wong was wanted in connection with offences under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
A month later, it was reported that the SC had obtained an ex parte injunction from the court to freeze the assets of Wong, his company Wong SK Holdings Sdn Bhd and Wong's mother Teh Sew Yan worth RM169.22 million, in relation to securities fraud offences involving Bright Packaging Industry Bhd.
Wong, formerly the chief executive officer of Asia Media, was removed from his post in an extraordinary general meeting held on July 25, 2019.
Shares in Asia Media closed half a sen or 4% higher at 13 sen, with some 947,900 shares changing hands. Its market capitalisation stood at RM31.13 million.
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