An ex-opposition parliamentarian was today acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court over a charge that he had made false mileage claims amounting to RM792 during his tenure as a representative.

Judge Rosenani Abd Rahman said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Ramli Ibrahim, 62, the former Keadilan MP for Kota Baru.

He was charged under Section 11C of the Anti-Corruption Act on April 8, 2002.

Ramli was accused of making the false mileage claims from the Parliament's finance department over a return trip between Kota Baru and Kuala Lumpur in 2002.

'Justice has prevailed'

In her judgement, Rosenani said the Anti-Corruption Agency investigating officer had failed to check if Ramli ( photo:left ) had made the trip to Kota Baru or investigate his family there in relation to this.

Ramli, who did not contest in the last general election, had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The maximum punishment provided under the section is 20 years jail and a fine, if found guilty.

Speaking to reporters later, the former parliamentarian said he was grateful that justice had prevailed. He was represented by prominent lawyer Christopher Fernando ( photo:right ).

Responding to malaysiakini , Deputy Public Prosecutor Idham Abdul Ghani said he will wait for Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's instruction before deciding on filing an appeal.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and the party's supreme council member Animah Ferrer were also present at the courtroom this morning.

PKR was formed following the merger between Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia.

Huge claims

In September 2003, the issue of false claims came to the fore when it was revealed in Parliament that 14 MPs had filed claims exceeding RM10,000 a month.

Seven were from Barisan Nasional, four from PAS, two from Keadilan and one from DAP.

Until now, only two have been charged. Apart from Ramli, the other MP in the dock is former PAS leader Mohd Apandi Mohamad, whose claims exceeded RM200,000.

A total of 13 charges were brought against Mohd Apandi, 45, who was charged under the same section.

Mohd Apandi, who had claimed trial, is also being represented by Fernando.