Ramli’s counsel, Alex Tan, informed sessions court judge Suzana Hussin the representations, dated Jan 26, had been rejected.

Tan said they were instructed to appeal to the attorney-general against the decision.

“We request that the trial date on March 7 be rescheduled to case mention to allow us to inform the court of developments in the appeal. We also request the accused’s presence be excused on March 7,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Azmi did not object to the request.

Suzana allowed the change and vacated the Feb 21 and 22 trial dates.

“The court maintains the (other) trial dates previously set and the accused is excused from appearing during the case mention on March 7 due to health reasons,” she said.

In addition to Feb 21 and 22, the court had previously set the trial for  March 7 and 29, April 30 and May 15 and 16.

On the first charge, Ramli, who was entrusted with the company’s funds, was alleged to have committed CBT by approving a payment amounting to RM13,541,140 to the account of Syarikat Setaria Holding Limited in Singapore without the approval of the BNS board of directors.

The offence was allegedly committed at BNS at Jalan Raja Chulan here between July 26, 2010 and March 25, 2011.

On the second CBT charge, Ramli was alleged to have approved payment amounting to RM1,360,716 to the account of JSD Corporation, also in Singapore, without the approval of the BNS board at the same place, between April 19, 2011 and May 4, 2011.

He was also charged with committing a similar offence by approving a payment amounting to RM6,182,295 to the account of Syarikat Sousmarin Armada Ltd, another Singapore company, at the same place between Oct 28, 2010 and Nov 22, 2010.

The three charges were framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment for up to 20 years with whipping and liable to a fine, if found guilty.