Architect charged with cheating retiree over building renovation contract

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 30): An architect pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today  to a charge with cheating a pensioner over a building renovation contract worth more than RM100,000.

Diramahadi Harun @ Che Din, 43, was charged with cheating Tan Chee Ping, 62, by deceiving the pensioner into believing that he had applied for a design plan renovation from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), resulting in Tan to give the building renovation contract to Diramahadi.

This also prompted Tan into handing over RM142,786 to Diramahadi  which he would not have done so had he knew he was deceived.

Diramahadi,who has four children, was alleged to have committed the offence at  Lot 7648, Jalan Jinjang Aman 2, Jinjang Utara, here between July 4, 2017 and  Aug 3 this year.

The charge, under Section 420 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 10 years and with whipping, and is liable to fine, if found guilty.

Judge  Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail allowed Diramahadi bail of RM20,000 in one surety and also to surrender his passport to the court.

Deputy public prosecutor Zulaaikha Mohd Apandi prosecuted, while lawyer Megat Syazlee Mokhtarom represented Diramahadi.

The court set Dec 7 for mention.