A man pleaded not guilty in the Selayang Session Court today to cheating a businessman of more than RM900,000 for “Datuk Seri” and “Datuk” titles.
Syed Abu Bakar Syed Alwi, 60, made the plea after the charge was read out to him before judge Maziah Joary Mohd Tajudin.
He was charged with cheating Low Leek Tjet, 43, by deceiving the latter into believing that he (Syed Abu Bakar) could help in securing both the titles, which actually did not exist, from Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
This prompted Low into handing him a total of RM907,700, made in several payments, at Taman Sri Gombak here between Oct 11, 2017, and Jan 8, 2019.
Syed Abu Bakar faced imprisonment of up to 10 years and whipping and fine, if found guilty, under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
He was allowed bail of RM70,000 with one surety and also ordered to surrender his passport to the court, to report himself at the nearest police station on the first of every month and be near the witnesses pending disposal of the case.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Ain Shafie prosecuted, while Syed Abu Bakar was represented by lawyer Nur Aida Md Zainuddin.
The court set Feb 12 for mention.