Ramli Yusuff's acquittal today is seen as a big blow for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but its head of the prosecution and legal division, Abdul Razak Musa, said the commission was not discouraged.

ramli yusuff asset declare case 120310 01 Abdul Razak said Ramli still has one case pending; he purportedly breached the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) General Orders by being a director for Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd.

Ramli had allegedly failed to declare this when he was already the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief sometime in April 2006. This case is still pending trial on March 22 at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

Abdul Razak had earlier said they would appeal today's decision.

"The commission remains committed in its fight against corruption. We are undeterred with the loss and will file an appeal."

According to Abdul Razak, the MACC had also presented evidence in the form of a cheque that Ramli had signed on behalf of Bonus Circle Sdn Bhd, a firm where his sisters are directors.

"But this was not taken into consideration," he said.

MACC successful in three appeals

Abdul Razak also revealed that the commission was successful in three appeals the past two months.

The first involves Perak exco Azman Mahalan, who was sentenced to two years jail when the Court of Appeal restored his conviction on one of two bribery charges in January.

Azman, 68, who was then Tapah Umno chief, was found guilty of bribing a contractor RM2000 to help ensure his challenger would not be able to contest against him in the 2001 divisional elections.

The other two cases involved two former deputy public prosecutors.

In today's matter, Ramli was represented by renowned lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Shafee also represented Ramli when the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court had acquitted the former CCID chief of abuse of power in ordering the use of a police aircraft for his personal interest two years ago.

The lawyer has an impeccable record against MACC, having represented the late Perwaja chairman, Eric Chia, and former Land and Development Minister Kasitah Gaddam.

Shafee is also a commissioner with the Malaysian Human Rights Commission.