SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 — SJKC Yuk Chai Petaling Jaya’s headmaster expressed surprise when shown an unexplained third bank account opened in the school’s name, and told a defamation trial that he had no prior knowledge of its existence.

Brief details surrounding the rogue account, registered under Hong Leong Bank, were presented in court while current SJKC Yuk Chai headmaster Chew Hock Jin was cross-examined by defence lawyer Saran Singh.

Chew was the third witness out of four to be called to the stand in a defamation case between two former SJKC Yuk Chai PJ Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) presidents.

Plaintiff Thean Kon Fah had called Lim Jenn Shiah to defence, accusing the latter of defaming him during an October 2014 press conference, which was later published in local Chinese dailies.

During trial, Chew explained to High Court judge Datuk Roslan Abu Bakar that government schools are only allowed to possess two bank accounts, one for government allocations and the second to receive donations.

Defence counsel Saran raised a document containing bank details registered under the school’s name and asked Chew if he had knowledge about it.

"Yes I agree the account is registered under the school. But it is not an account used by the school for government allocated or donated funds,” said Chew.

Chew was then questioned on who operated the account, and if it was opened illegally.

"This is the first time I am seeing these documents. I do not know who operates the account. I am not sure if the person had opened the account illegally, that is beyond by jurisdiction,” Chew replied.

Saran asked if a police report was made as the third account had broken the law.

Chew repeated that it was the first time he had seen the documents and he had no idea about the bank account.

"I how to run a school, and no I will not lodge a report with police.

"I have to inform the education department who will then decide or not to report it,” he explained.

Midway through, Judge Roslan stopped proceedings, following Chew’s attitude and mannerism towards the defence counsel.

"We will take a 15 minutes’ recess while the plaintiff’s witness is briefed by their counsels over how to answer questions with direct answers,” said Roslan.

When court resumed, Chew was questioned on school procedures concerning transactions with its bank accounts.

Saran asked Chew whose approval was needed when requesting donations to be channelled into the account, or changing its details or type.

"Only the headmaster and senior assistant can sign off such requests, provided it is using the permitted accounts,” replied Chew.

Saran presented a document in court that was approved by the school’s management, but did not bear the needed signatures.

"You agree these signatures are not from the headmaster and senior assistant?” Saran asked.

Chew replied: "Yes these are not their signatures. If it is either one of the two accounts under the school, they cannot give their approval.”

The court adjourned and set the next proceedings to take place on Jan 24.

Defendant Lim had been served in 2016 following the article published two years prior.

He had claimed through the article that while he served as PTA president in 2009 to 2011, financial irregularities had surfaced concerning school funds.

Lim claimed, during a press conference at the Selangor Education Department building, that irregularities were spotted in the schools’ two accounts, public contributions and government allocations.

* A previous version of the article erroneously presented Chew Hock Jin as acknowledging the existence of the third bank account in the introduction. The report has been amended to reflect his actual remarks. Malay Mail apologises to Chew Hock Jin for any inconvenience caused.