KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — A chief executive officer of a welfare fund claimed trial today at the sessions court here to four charges of cheating, two charges of criminal breach of trust, and one abetting charge.

Raja Azman Shah Raja Alang Petra, 48, the chief executive of Tabung Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Program E-Pendidikan Genius, was accused of cheating Azlan Arshad from Syarikat Bakam Suci Sdn Bhd to invest RM150,000 into the welfare fund between September and October of 2006, at its headquarters at Bangunan MAS on Jalan Sultan Ismail.

He was also accused of cheating Ng Suat Hon to invest RM200,000 between October and November 2007, and Ahmad Nazim Abu Bakar to invest RM150,000 between December 2007 and January 2008.

If found guilty, Raja Azman can be sentenced up to 10 years in jail and whipping, and will also be liable to a fine, for each of the three charges, as laid down under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

Raja Azman was also accused of criminal breach of trust for writing two cheques amounting to RM130,000 to himself, belonging to Azlan in October 2006.

The CEO allegedly wrote two other cheques also to himself, amounting to RM160,000, belonging to Ng in December 2007.

Both the charges under section 406 of the Penal Code carry a maximum jail sentence of 10 years and whipping, and also a fine, upon conviction.

In the sixth charge, Raja Azman was accused of being in cahoots with operations manager Hishamsol Othman and Zuraimi Abd Rahim to convince Ng that Zamrud Enterprise would receive a tax deduction from the Inland Revenue Board for the donation.

If found guilty, Raja Azman faces a jail sentence of not more than five years, or a fine, or both, for the abetting charge.

Meanwhile, both Hishamsol and Zuraimi on June 18 were charged with cheating Ng, six years ago.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Anthony Kevin Morais appeared for the prosecution while Bernard Lewis represented the accused.

Sessions Court judge Rosbiahanim Arifin granted bail at RM60,000 with one surety and the accused will be required to give up his travel documents.

September 12 was fixed for mention.