MACC appeal dismissed against ex-Sabah Police Commissioner

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here dismissed on Thursday an appeal by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against a Sessions Court's decision to acquit and discharge former Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff, on a charge of ordering the use of a police aircraft for his personal interest, nearly three years ago.

"After going through the relevant evidence and the grounds of judgement by the Sessions Court judge, I find she (sessions judge) was not wrong. Therefore, I hereby dismiss the appeal," Justice Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli said.

In MACC's bid to overturn the judgement, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Bache said the sessions court judge failed to appreciate the application of the law under which Ramli, a former Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Department director, was charged.

On July 27 last year, judge Supang Lian said the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case and Ramli, 57, deserved to be acquitted and discharged.

The 59-day hearing between May 13, 2008 and July 6 last year saw the prosecution, represented by DPPs Kevin Morais and Joyce Blasius, calling 75 witnesses.

Ramli, who was then represented by Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and James Tsai, was charged on Nov 19, 2007 on charges that he had abused his powers as Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Department director for his pecuniary gain by ordering and using a Royal Malaysia Police Cessna Caravan aircraft to take him on an aerial surveillance of two lots in Ulu Tungku, Lahad Datu, in which his real estate company Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd had an interest.

The offence was allegedly committed at about 7.50am on June 15, 2007 at the Sabah Police Air Unit in Tanjung Aru near here.

Ramli pleaded not guilty to the offence which, upon conviction, carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and a minimum fine of RM10,000 under Section 15 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, and was released on bail of RM20,000 with one surety. - Bernama