The Court of Appeal has acquitted former Selayang Municipal Council president Bakaruddin Othman of using the local authority's funds for the maintenance of his personal residence.

A three-member panel led by Court of Appeal judge Mohtaruddin Baki today unanimously ruled the Sessions Court's conviction was unsafe.

The other two judges were Justice Harminder Singh Dhaliwall and Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil.

Bakaruddin's lawyers, Jagjit Singh and Akberdin Abdul Kader, when contacted confirmed the acquittal.

It was reported that Bakaruddin was sentenced by the Shah Alam Sessions Court four years ago to three years' jail and fined RM132,500, in default a year’s jail,

This follows Sessions judge Asmadi Hussin finding that the defence failed to raise any reasonable doubt against the prosecution.

The Shah Alam High Court upheld the decision.

Bakaruddin, 62, was charged with using his office or position as the council president to obtain gratification in the form of financing, involving RM26,500, for the maintenance of his personal residence.

The financing for the residence located at Jalan Laksamana 9, Kampung Laksamana, Batu Caves, Selangor, was allegedly approved by him during a meeting of the MPS tender committee, dated Oct 27, 2001.

He was charged with the offence between June 2001 and April 2002 at the Selayang Municipal Council Building, Bandar Baru Selayang.