KOTA KINABALU, 27 July 2009: The Sessions Court here today acquitted and discharged former Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff on a charge of ordering the use of a police aircraft for his personal interest two years ago.
“The prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case and the accused deserves to be acquitted and discharged,” judge Supang Lian said.
Ramli, 56, was charged on 19 Nov 2007 with abusing his power as Bukit Aman Commercial Crime 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 15 June 2007 at the Sabah Police Air Unit, 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.
The prosecution, represented by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutors Kevin Morais and Joyce Blasius, called 75 witnesses in a 59-day hearing between 13 May last year and 6 July this year.
Ramli was represented by Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and James Tsai. — Bernama
