PUTRAJAYA: Former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was charged in the Sessions Court here on Thursday, July 29 over his role in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

The case was presided by Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin, who set the mention date for Sept 3. Dr Ling was represented by Datuk RR Sethu. The prosecution was led by Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail and deputy public prosecutor Tun Majid Hamzah.

Bail was set at RM1 million and in one surety. It was fixed for mention on Sept 3.

Dr Ling, who served in former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet, was charged with the principal charge under Section 418 and an alternative charge under Section 417 of the Penal Code.

The former MCA president, who led the party from 1986 to 2003, was charged with deceiving the government and misleading the Cabinet to agree to purchase land in Pulau Indah for the mega distribution hub in Port Klang according to the terms between Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and PKA between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

The 66-year-old former politician pleaded not guilty to both charges and claimed trial. He was released on a personal bond of RM1 million and one surety.

As the charge was a bailable offence and in view of Dr Ling’s public service record, Abdul Gani said that the prosecution would not ask to impound his travel documents.