Chan Eng Leong, 50, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before judge Noor Aini Yusof at the sessions court here.

Chan was accused of cheating Global Tobacco Manufacturer (International) Sdn Bhd director Goh Kim Heong by inducing the victim to hand over RM11 million in cash to settle two cigarette tax cases with the customs department, and one related to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) involving the police.

The offences were allegedly committed at Taman Berjaya Indah and Jalan Bukit Teh, Machang Bubok, in Seberang Perai Tengah, between April 11 and Nov 21, 2019.

All three charges were framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code which provides for up to 10 years in prison, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

Chan, a former director of Global Tobacco, was also charged with CBT over the company’s funds by approving the purchase of property worth RM1.8 million without the company’s approval on Oct 1, 2019, at Jalan Bukit Teh, Machang Bubok.

The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years, whipping and a fine, if convicted.

He was also charged with two counts of misappropriating company assets worth RM600,000 on Oct 3, 2019, at Jalan Bukit Teh, Machang Bubok.

The accused was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years, whipping and a fine, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Muna Jaafar applied for the accused to be offered RM200,000 in bail for all the offences.

Chan’s lawyer RSN Rayer appealed for a lower bail as his client had given his full cooperation to the authorities.

Rayer also said his client was brought to court in 2021 on the same charges but given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

The court allowed bail of RM100,000 for all the charges and set May 10 for mention.