GIIB Holdings Bhd's former CEO Tai Boon Wee claimed trial to one count of forgery for passing off the rubber compound manufacturer's 2023 interim third quarter financial report as genuine. (Photo by Zahid Izzani/The Edge)

KUALA LUMPUR (May 15): GIIB Holdings Bhd's (KL:GIIB) former chief executive officer Tai Boon Wee claimed trial to one count of forgery for passing off the rubber compound manufacturer's 2023 interim third quarter financial report as genuine.

Tai was specifically charged with conspiring, by instructing company secretary Mak Chooi Peng to dishonestly use a forged interim financial statement for the period ended March 31, 2023 for GIIB as genuine.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Bursa Malaysia Securities offices in May 2023.

The charge, which is framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Sections 109 and 465 of the same Act, carries a punishment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Tai, who turns 64 this year, claimed trial before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi on Wednesday.

Azura set bail at RM20,000 and for his passport to be surrendered to the court. Deputy public prosecutor Anis Najwa Nazari prosecuted while Tai was represented by Wan Sharizal Wan Ladin, who informed the court that his client has been cooperative with the authorities throughout the two-year investigations.

This is the second time Tai has been charged with forgery. He was first charged along with former executive director Wong Ping Kiong for furnishing fake documents to auditor Grant Thornton Malaysia PLT in relation to the sale of RM2.95 million worth of machinery that did not exist.

However, both Tai and Wong were discharged and acquitted of the charge in October after the High Court allowed the duo's motion to strike out the charges.

In September last year, Tai stepped down from his position in the company, handing over the reins to his sons Tai Qisheng and Tai Qiyao.