Judge Kafli Che Ali made the order after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Ho Kok Keong, 62, a former chief executive officer in a telecommunications company, and housewife Koh Orchid, 56, at the close of the prosecution’s case.

He said both accused had three options – defend themselves, remain silent or testify under oath from the dock without being cross-examined by the prosecution, or testify under oath from the witness stand with the prosecution being allowed to cross-examine.

Lawyer Sean Dudley, representing the couple, then told the court that his clients would testify under oath from the witness stand.

Kafli set two days – March 13 and 14 – for the defence case.

On Aug 12, 2022, the couple pleaded not guilty to a charge of accepting the deposit in stages from a 49-year-old information technology instructor without a valid licence.

They were charged with committing the offence between Dec 16, 2015, and April 16, 2016, at a restaurant in Sentul, here.

The charge, framed under Section 137(1) of the Financial Services Act 2013 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, or a maximum fine of RM50 million or both, upon conviction.