Wong to forfeit bail bond

THE High Court yesterday ruled that Wong Tim Kai, the second defendant in a high-profile corruption trial, was to forfeit his bail bond, effective November 9, for failing to appear before the High Court.

Wong, in his role as managing director of contractor TED Sdn Bhd, is alleged to have abetted in corruptly receiving government projects from former Minister of Development Pg Dr Hj Ismail Pg Hj Damit. He is alleged to have given bribes, bank loan arrangements, houses, land, rentals and to have given a shophouse worth around $11 million to the ex-minister's daughter.

Wong failed to turn up for the first court hearing on September 28, and failed to "materialise before the court" for the second hearing.

Letters sent by fax from the co-defendant were produced in court, justifying his reason for his absence.

The reason stated in the letters for Wong failing to appear in the High Court for the trial was that the case had dragged on for a "very long time".

Wong's defence lawyers have previously told the court that they do not know of Wong's whereabouts, saying that his last known address was in Kuala Lumpur.

Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the High Court on September 29 under which Wong will not be released on bail when arrested.

Following the proceedings for the forfeiture of bonds for the missing defendant, the court turned its attention to the next stage of the trial, the calling of witnesses by the defence, with the court asking the defence counsel to submit all the relevant documents to present their case by November 14.

The Brunei Times