KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyers representing Asia Media Group Berhad’s founder Datuk Ricky Wong Shee Kai have refuted media descriptions of their client, who is outside the country while facing a civil trial brought by the Securities Commission (SC) for fraud, as a fugitive.
Wong’s lawyers, Shafee & Co, said the term “fugitive” suggests evasion from legal authorities which does not apply to Wong’s circumstances, given that he is not wanted by Malaysian authorities for any substantive offence.
Wong is only sought for his “alleged failure to provide a statement and/or assisting with investigations for the SC,” the law firm said in a press statement today.
“Wong has consistently offered to provide a statement and/or assist with investigations remotely, which has been refused by the SC to date.
“Such refusal by the SC raises significant concerns as to the motives behind the requirement of physical attendance on a matter that can be dealt with just as effectively by way of remote communication/video link,” Shafee & Co added.
Their statement comes after the Federal Court on May 7 refused leave for Ricky to challenge the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s denial to allow his attendance via Remote Court Technology (RCT).
Shafee & Co said Wong had sought to participate in the trial remotely based on the “legitimate concern that should he elect to return to Malaysia, he may not be accorded a fair investigative process by the various enforcement agencies, separate to the matters regarding the civil suit and its ongoing trial.
“Accordingly, the application for RCT was critical to ensure Ricky’s right to a fair trial which includes the ability to participate fully in the proceedings aimed to allow him to engage meaningfully without compromising the judicial process,” the law firm added.
On May 5, 2020, the SC filed a civil suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court against Wong, his mother Teh Sew Wan and Wong SK Holdings Sdn Bhd for breaching sections 179(a) and/or 179(b) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA) in respect of their involvement in several schemes to defraud Bright Packaging Industry Berhad.
During trial, Ricky filed an interlocutory application under Order 33A of the Rules of Court 2012 seeking the court’s permission to attend trial via RCT.
However, his application was denied by the high court as he did not disclose his precise location. – May 21, 2024