A SENIOR vice-president of an engineering company was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today with duping a leading oil and gas company into listing his firm as a qualified enterprise with bumiputera status three years ago.

Ahmad Hatta Kamaruzzaman, 50, who is also head of Aker Engineering Malaysia, pleaded not guilty after the charge against him was read before judge Izralizam Sanusi.

Hatta, as an agent of Aker Solutions Group, was charged with intentionally submitting documents with the purpose of duping the oil and gas company.

It was for the purpose of listing Aker Engineering Malaysia as a qualified company with bumiputera status, when the accused knew that it was not true.

Hatta is alleged to have cheated by concealing the truth on the share ownership of the company, in which its actual beneficiary was Aker Solutions Group.

The offence was allegedly committed in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, 2018. Hatta was charged under section 417 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to five years or a fine, or both, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin offered bail of between RM10,000 and RM20,000, and lawyer S. Devanandan, representing Hatta, did not object.

The court then allowed the accused bail of RM20,000 in one surety and fixed July 30 for remention of the case. – Bernama, June 11, 2021.