Jessie Tang, 56, and Tan Eng Heong, 54, former directors of Asiana Bestari Sdn Bhd, were charged with inviting two siblings to join the investment scheme, which was not registered under the Interest Schemes Act 2016 (Act 778).

The offences were allegedly committed at Jalan Bukit Dua in Bukit Mertajam on Oct 6, 2021

If convicted under Section 3(3) of the same Act, they face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to RM50 million, or both.

Judge Noor Aini Yusof ruled that no additional bail would be imposed as Tang and Tan had posted bail of RM50,000 each for a similar charge at the George Town sessions court yesterday.

The case was also transferred to the George Town sessions court for a joint trial, with the next mention set for Nov 12.

The prosecution was led by Faizal Mahdi Mahmud, Mohd Zulkhairi Kamaruzaman and Nurul Husna Mohd Yusof from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The couple was represented by lawyers Mohd Haizq Razali and Aiman Abdul Rahman.

Yesterday, Tang and Tan were charged with offering a similar ginger plant investment scheme to two individuals in Gelugor on Dec 9, 2020 and April 6, 2022.