Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Ramli Yusuff has been suspended from his job pending disposal of the court case against him.

This was announced by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohd Najib Abd Aziz today.

Yesterday Ramli was charged with two counts of failing to make full disclosure of his assets and a separate charge of unlawful involvement in business at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

Ramli, 55, the country's third highest ranking police officer, claimed trial to all the three charges. He is due to retire in December.

The hearing for the first two charges will begin on Jan 15 next year. The hearing for the third charge is slated for a March 3 hearing.

Mohd Najib said that a suspension was a normal procedure under the General Orders against any policeman facing court action.

"After the court case has been settled, it is up to the police force to decide on the action against him," Bernama quoted Mohd Najib as saying.

He also said that the action taken against Ramli and allegations of corruption hurled at IGP Musa Hassan would not affect the morale of the police.

He however admitted that it had dented the image of the force.

20-year jail term

Ramli was alleged to have failed to comply with the terms of an Anti-Corruption Agency notice dated July 17 to give a written statement under oath on all his assets under Section 32(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

Ramli was accused of not revealing information on two office units in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng which belong to his elder sister Rohmah @ Hasmah and younger sister Roslina. The two units are worth RM1mil.

The two sisters were directors of an investment holding company, Bonus Circle Sdn Bhd.

He was said to have committed the offence at the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office in the Anti-Corruption Agency's headquarters in Putrajaya on Sept 17.

As for the second charge, Comm Ramli had allegedly failed to disclose information on 154,000 units of shares worth about RM200,000 in a property company, Permaju Industries, Bhd at the same place and time.

On the third charge a summons charge - he was accused of unlawfully engaging in business in Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd on April 25 last year.

Ramli face a possible maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of up to RM100,000 if he is found guilty of the first two charges.

For the third charge, a conviction would mean a maximum one-year jail sentence and/or a fine.