PUTRAJAYA: Sri Gading Umno Youth's former secretary and treasurer walked out as free men as the Court of Appeal upheld their acquittal on a charge of corruptly making a false claim involving RM19,998 in 2008.
A three-member panel led by Justice Datuk Linton Albert unanimously dismissed the prosecution's final appeal.
The panel, also comprising Justices Datuk Mah Weng Kwai and Datuk Rohana Yusuf, upheld the decisions of the Sessions Court and High Court which had respectively acquitted and discharged Saiful Basar Samakon, 47, and Rahmat Junid, 46, on the charge.
Both men looked relieved and were seen embracing each other when the verdict was pronounced.
Saiful Basar and Rahmat were jointly charged with making a false claim totaling RM19,998 on Oct 17, 2008 for food, drinks and accommodation intended for a motivational leadership course for youths in the Sri Gading parliamentary constituency.
The claim was allegedly submitted to Batu Pahat District Office officer Rohayah Sarip through contractor Tumirun Apandi.
They were acquitted and discharged on that charge by the Sessions Court in Johor on April 30 2012.
The prosecution's appeal against the Sessions Court's decision was dismissed by the High Court on Nov 29, 2012.
Saiful Basar was represented by lawyer Ramzani Idris and Rahmat by lawyer Muhammad Faiz Fadzil. Deputy Public Prosecutor from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi appeared for the prosecution. - Bernama
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