The Waigani Committal Court has ordered the Foreign Affairs and Immigrations Department to return the passport of a Malaysian businessman, Joseph Ling, who was deported last month.
Senior Magistrate Cosmas Bidar told police prosecution to return the passport to Ling’s lawyer,because it was the property of the Malaysian government.
Ling’s lawyer, Greg Sheppard, was present in court when the order was issued yesterday.
Peter Ling was charged with four counts of false pretence, misappropriation and causing disaffection amongst police officers, under section 136 of the Police Force Act in February.
Police allege that between October 2012 and October 2015, Ling dishonestly used over K350,000 in funds belonging to his employer.
Two similar allegations were brought against Ling in 2015 but were not followed through and were dismissed at the Committal Court.
On February 11 the Waigani Committal Court had ordered Ling to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Courts as a bail condition and ordered that Ling remain in the country until he completes court proceedings.
However, last month Ling was deported out of the county without his passport.
This means, the criminal charges against Ling will be sine die or adjourned indefinitely.
