The Malaysian Insight

SABAH minister Peter Anthony failed to turn up at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning to face a criminal charge, saying he is suffering from vertigo.

He was supposed to have boarded a 4.15pm flight yesterday in Kota Kinabalu but was instead warded at the city hospital, said his lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla.

“I am made to understand that it is one charge, but what the charge is will only be known on July 10,” said Haniff, referring to the new mention date set by judge Rozina Ayub today.  

Haniff said a medical certificate will be produced for the court “as soon as possible”.

Anthony, who is Sabah infrastructure development minister, claimed trial at the special corruption court in Kota Kinabalu last week to a charge of abetting criminal breach of trust (CBT).

The charge involves the purchase of Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) land worth RM15.5 million six years ago.

The charge was framed under Section 109 of the Penal Code.

He is alleged to have committed the offence between July 22, 2014, and November 19, 2015, at the Beverly Hills Plaza, Jalan Bundusan, Penampang, by abetting lawyer Michael Percius Ubu, who acted as a Risda agent and entrusted with authority over money amounting to RM15,545,400 to commit CBT by banking in the money into Messrs Michael Ubu & Co’s Ambank account.

The money was said to be 10% of the sale price of oil palm land measuring 2,739ha in Tongod, Sabah.

On June 11, Anthony, who is also Warisan vice-president, had claimed trial to five counts of money laundering involving RM8.75 million linked to the Risda land deal.

He was allowed bail of RM500,000 with two local sureties.

On June 15, Michael pleaded not guilty to three counts of CBT and money-laundering in connection with the Risda land deal. – June 22, 2020.