Ex-top cop acquitted of abusing power

(Bernama) – The Sessions Court today acquitted 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 Nov 19, 2007 with abusing his power as Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Department director for his pecuniary gain by ordering and using a police Cessna Caravan aircraft to take him on an aerial surveillance of two plot of land 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, 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. He 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 May 13 last year and July 6 this year.

Ramli was represented by Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and James Tsai.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Malaysia Today has written about this case many times and has explained that this is the man who was fixed up because he had detained a few Chinese underworld bosses who control the nation-wide drugs, gambling, prostitution and loan shark syndicate.