A 48-year-old tour guide, Tjoeng Chan Chin, suffered an asthma attack in the dock of the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday while being charged with cheating a man out of nearly RM500,000.
Tjoeng pleaded not guilty to the charge before Judge Azrul Darus, but proceedings were briefly adjourned after the judge noticed him struggling to breathe and repeatedly using an inhaler.
The court resumed a few minutes later, allowing Tjoeng to remain seated in the dock for the remainder of the session.
He is accused, along with two others still at large, of deceiving a 71-year-old man by offering a fictitious investment loan, prompting the victim to hand over RM475,166. The offence allegedly took place in Section 6, Wangsa Maju, between 12 March and 3 April last year.
The charge is framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries a jail term of one to 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Izzat Amir Idham offered bail at RM50,000 with one surety, but defence counsel Evie Melynda Jee requested a lower amount, citing her client’s chronic heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, a monthly income of RM3,000, and responsibility for two children and elderly parents.
The court subsequently granted bail at RM5,000 with one surety and scheduled the next case mention for 16 April.
