The Kuala Lumpur High Court today upheld the acquittal of former Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Ramli Yusof of charges of failure to declare his assets and violating laws preventing civil servants from being involved in private business.

Justice Ghazali Cha was the first to upheld the acquittal in declaring his assets while another High Court judge, Mohamad Zabidin Md Diah also dismissed the prosecution’s appeal in the other.

The charges that he faced in non-declaration of his assets were:

1. Two office lots owned by his sisters at Jalan Yap Kuan Seng in Kuala Lumpur. The properties were registered under Bonus Circle Sdn Bhd and were purchased for slightly more than RM1 million. His sisters were directors in the investment holding company.

2. Owning 154,000 unit of shares in Pemaju Industries Bhd.

3. Not declaring Telekom Malaysia Bhd shares.

Ramli was also charged with having a role as a director at Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd on May 2, 2006.

He was first acquitted by the Sessions Court on March 12, last year, when the court ruled there was no prima facie case for his defence to be called in the non-declaration of his assets.

The former top cop was also cleared by another KL Sessions Court of a charge of being in breach of laws on Aug 20, last year in preventing civil servants from being involved in private businesses.

He was implicated by the authorities for being the alleged RM27 million cop.

During the March 12 acquittal, he read out a prepared statement where he said the case had resulted in him losing his rank, seniority and reputation.

Ramli also urged the MACC to withdraw the charge against his lawyer friend, Rosli Dahlan, who is facing a similar charge of not declaring his assets with the previous Anti-Corruption Agency.

‘Men in blue’ urged to job fearlessly

He urged his former colleagues,whom he called the “men in blue”, to do their job fearlessly and professionally.

“Uphold your oath of office to ‘sedia berkhidmat’. Do not be afraid of the ‘syndicate’. Protect the innocent.”

Although Ramli did not indicate what he called a syndicate, prior to him being charged he and his team were fiercely engaged against illegal moneylenders.

On June 20, this year, the Court of Appeal also upheld Ramli’s acquittal in another case originating from Sabah where he was charged with abuse of power in using a police aircraft or small plane for personal gain four years ago.