TAWAU: Former AuMas Resources Berhad CEO, Chong Tzu Khen, today rejected claims in official company announcements that the company had acknowledged operating beyond permitted boundaries, during the ongoing civil trial involving AuMas, its subsidiary Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd (WRSB), and Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd, alongside Datuk Lo Fui Ming, Lo Teck Yong, and Chong Khing Chung.

In cross-examination before Judicial Commissioner Steve Ritikos at the High Court of Tawau, lawyer Andy Tay cited Bahvest’s announcements on 8 and 9 May 2023, which suggested that the company had recognized its operations exceeded permitted limits. Chong disagreed, asserting that the announcements did not constitute any such acknowledgment.

The session also touched on four Letters of Demand issued by Southsea Gold. Chong testified that he first came across the letters only when called as a witness by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in July 2023 and maintained that there was no official finding declaring the letters false. He emphasized that any belief about backdating of the letters was his personal view rather than established fact.

The questioning highlighted the trial’s central dispute over whether the letters represented legitimate claims or were allegedly retaliatory actions against former management. Tay further noted that the company had never accused Datuk Lo Fui Ming of forgery in the announcements and that Chong, as a board member, had not requested any corrections or withdrawals.

The trial will continue tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

Plaintiffs are represented by Norbert Yapp & Associates with Azimi Yahya, while defendants are represented by Andy Tay & Associates, along with Lawrence Chai and Peter Soong & Partners.

TAWAU: The seventh day of the civil trial involving AuMas Resources Berhad (formerly known as Bahvest Resources Berhad) saw the continuation of the cross-examination of the plaintiff’s first witness (PW1), former AuMas Chief Executive Officer Chong Tzu Khen, over a RM20.4 million claim before Judicial Commissioner Steve Ritikos at the High Court here today.

The proceedings focused on four letters forming the basis of the claim, with questions from defence counsel (DC) Andy Tay centred on the authenticity of the documents, the timeline of receipt, and prior public disclosures.

Chong agreed that he only saw the four letters in July 2023 and acknowledged that there was no forensic report or official finding declaring the documents to be forged. He also confirmed that the letters had been disclosed to the public through announcements to Bursa Malaysia before July 2023.

Key questions and answers during the cross-examination included:

DC: When did you first see these letters, date please?
PW1: Sometimes in July 2023.

DC: You confirmed the date in July 2023?
PW1: Yes.

DC: You have not obtained any forensic report concluding those letters are forged and you have not produced any expert evidence confirming forgery, correct?
PW1: I agree. But… (“But…” the witness means he will respond in writing later)

DC: There is no official finding that those letters are forged, agree?
PW1: I agree. But…

DC: These letters were announced to the public via Bursa Malaysia before July 2023 (Enclosure 135 CBOD Part B vol 3 pages 833-836, 850-853, 854-857 and 858-859), agree?
PW1: I agree. But…

DC: When did you become a director of Bahvest, date please?
PW1: On 26 May 2023.

DC: By becoming a director of Bahvest, you had knowledge of these letters before July 2023, correct?
PW1: I only knew there were announcements on the RM20.4 million demand by Southsea Gold.

DC: This RM20.4 million is an eye-catching figure to you. Is it not a substantial amount that a reasonable person would proceed further to read the basis of the claim, agree or not?
PW1: I agree. But there were temporary resolutions for a non-refundable deposit of RM13 million to be settled in two tranches. The first payment of RM6 million was made on 10 May 2023 and the balance of RM7 million to be paid on or before the end of May 2023.

DC: By your detailed answer above, do you agree with me that you actually read all the announcements and understand inside out the whole RM20.4 million demand related to the four letters and the subsequent settlement, agree?
PW1: I agree. But…

The court also examined issues surrounding the earlier acquisition of Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd, including a Letter of Consent dated 18 September 2015, which was appended to a circular to shareholders dated 28 December 2016 and made publicly accessible.

Chong agreed there was no deliberate concealment of the letter and that no document had been produced in court stating that it was an official pre-condition to the acquisition.

The plaintiffs, AuMas/Bahvest and Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd, are represented by Norbert Yapp & Associates and Azimi Yahya, while the defendants are represented by Andy Tay & Associates together with Lawrence Chai and Peter Soong & Partners.

The proceedings were adjourned and will resume tomorrow.

TAWAU: Perbicaraan sivil melibatkan AuMas Resources Berhad (dulu dikenali Bahvest Resources Berhad) bersama anak syarikat milik penuhnya, Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd (WRSB), terhadap Datuk Lo Fui Ming, Lo Teck Yong, Chong Khing Chung dan Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd diteruskan di Mahkamah Tinggi Tawau hari ini.

Prosiding di hadapan Pesuruhjaya Kehakiman Steve Ritikos itu memasuki hari keenam dengan pemeriksaan balas terhadap saksi pertama plaintif, bekas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) AuMas, Chong Tzu Khen.

Plaintif diwakili firma guaman Norbert Yapp & Associates bersama Azimi Yahya, manakala pihak defendan diwakili Andy Tay & Associates bersama Lawrence Chai serta Peter Soong & Partners.

Dalam tindakan berkenaan, plaintif antara lain memohon deklarasi bahawa Datuk Lo Fui Ming dan Lo Teck Yong didakwa melanggar kewajipan fidusiari, statutori serta kewajipan berwaspada (duty of care).

Mereka turut memohon supaya Resolusi Sementara antara WRSB dan Southsea diisytiharkan terbatal dan tidak sah.

Selain itu, plaintif menuntut pemulangan wang berjumlah RM6 juta yang dibayar kepada Southsea pada 10 Mei 2023, ganti rugi am, ganti rugi melampau serta ganti rugi teladan serta faedah lima peratus setahun.

Sepanjang pemeriksaan balas, saksi mengakui beliau merupakan pengarah WRSB dan pernah berkhidmat sebagai pengarah ganti di Southsea, sekali gus mempunyai akses kepada rekod kewangan serta hak menghadiri dan mengundi dalam mesyuarat lembaga pengarah. Bagaimanapun, beliau mendakwa tidak dijemput menghadiri mesyuarat lembaga pengarah selepas 26 April 2023.

Mahkamah turut diberitahu bahawa saksi tidak merekodkan sebarang bantahan rasmi dalam minit mesyuarat, selain tidak membuat aduan kepada Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Bursa Malaysia atau pihak polis berhubung dakwaan salah urus atau pelantikan Chong Khing Chung sebagai pengarah.

Saksi juga bersetuju bahawa tiada laporan audit forensik atau penemuan kawal selia yang menyokong dakwaannya bahawa syarikat berkenaan dijalankan sebagai “pertunjukan solo” (one-man show), namun beliau tidak bersetuju bahawa dakwaan tersebut sekadar andaian peribadi.

Dalam prosiding sama, mahkamah dimaklumkan bahawa pengambilalihan WRSB oleh Bahvest pada 2015 telah dilaksanakan dengan kelulusan lembaga pengarah dan pemegang saham, selain melibatkan proses usaha wajar (due diligence) oleh penasihat profesional, bank pelaburan dan peguam cara luar.

Perbicaraan ditangguhkan pada jam 1 tengah hari dan akan disambung semula esok.