KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — A former National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) secretary-general was freed today by the High Court over criminal breach of trust (CBT) of union funds worth RM8.85 million, The Star Online reported.

High Court judge Justice Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah held that K. Shanmugam’s conviction for CBT was unsafe and allowed his appeal.

She ruled that the records of appeal had failed to show over union funds amounting to RM8.85 million.

Shanmugam, who was charged in the Sessions Court on December 8, 2005, was jailed for 10 years and fined RM20,000 for the CBT charge.

Sessions Court judge Azizah Mahamud had on February 23, 2011 ruled that the defence had failed to raise any doubt in the prosecution’s case.

Shanmugam had claimed trial to CBT of union funds worth RM8.85 million by purchasing shares on a contra basis in violation of a NUBE resolution dated October 21, 1994.

He was accused of committing the offence while holding the position of NUBE investment committee member at the union’s office in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996.