PKR sec-gen to stand trial for allegedly revealing confidential details

PUTRAJAYA: PKR secretary-general Mohd Rafizi Ramli will have to stand trial for allegedly revealing confidential banking details linked to the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, the Federal Court has ruled.

Court of Appeal president Justice Md Raus Sharif, who chaired a five-man panel, struck out an appeal by Mohd Rafizi to have the charge thrown out.

Justice Md Raus said the Federal Court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter as it started from the Sessions Court. (Cases that originate at the Sessions Court can be brought forward for appeal up to the Court of Appeal only).

“We send back the case (to the Shah Alam Sessions Court). We strike out the appeal. We fix Tuesday (today) for mention before the Sessions Court.

“His bail is extended,” said Justice Md Raus.

With him in the panel were Federal Court judges Justice Ahmad Maarop, Justice Zainun Ali, Justice Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha and Justice Abu Samah Nordin.

At the outset of court proceedings yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nahra Dollah argued that the apex court could not hear the matter as the case originated at the Sessions Court.

DPP Nahra argued that Mohd Rafizi was charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Aug 1, 2012 and that his application to strike out his charge had been dismissed by the High Court on Dec 23, 2012.

She said that the Court of Appeal had dismissed his appeal to strike out his charge on May 23, 2013.

Mohd Rafizi's lawyer Latheefa Koya later agreed to the position taken up by the prosecutor.

Mohd Rafizi had on Sept 10, 2012 filed his application to strike out his charge.

In May 2013, the Court of Appeal held that the allegation that his charge was against public policy was not supported by evidence and that his appeal has no merits.