Commercial Crimes chief, investigated for corruption, lashes out in public
The Straits Times, October 31, 2007
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
The Straits Times, October 31, 2007
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
KUALA LUMPUR - A SIMMERING power struggle at the highest levels of the police force burst into the open yesterday when a top officer, accused of making millions through graft, turned the tables on his accusers.
On one side of the showdown is the man accused of being on the take - Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusof, who is said to be backed by the Deputy Internal Security Minister.
On the other is police chief Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
The deep rift between the two sides has long been an open secret, with anonymous accusations of corruption and ties to the underworld traded on the Internet.
But yesterday, Datuk Ramli, who is alleged to have illegally amassed RM27 million (S$11.75 million), personally took the fight into the public arena.
He is claiming that investigations into his affairs began after his division took down one Mr Goh Cheng Poh, whom he claims had links to Johor crime.
'I have been suffering for the past three months,' he said at a press conference, surrounded by some 20 of his officers. He denied doing anything wrong, and said his assets were commensurate with his income level.
When asked whether he would quit the force, he said: 'Why should I resign? I've got a few more months to go. Why should I resign? The investigation is still on, I'm waiting for ACA officers to interview me anytime.'
He did not want to say why his investigation of Mr Goh could have led to his troubles, telling reporters repeatedly to 'read between the lines'.
According to him, his department's investigations led to Mr Goh being banished to rural Kelantan by Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum.
But soon after this, he claims the Anti-Corruption Agency and the police's Criminal Investigation Department cleared Mr Goh, and he was asked to send confidential case files containing names of informants to the Attorney-General.
He alleged the informants were later questioned by the ACA and their covers blown.
His problems did not stop there.
Subsequently, his legal adviser, Mr Rosli Dahlan, a Singaporean with Malaysian permanent resident status, was arrested and last month charged with failing to disclose his own assets on the order of the ACA.
And last week, four of his officers were charged with falsifying evidence in relation to Mr Goh's case.
'These are disturbing events and will undeniably have a deep impact...on...the police force as a whole,' he said.
Meanwhile, news agency Bernama reported that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail confirmed the ACA had completed its investigations of a senior police officer and 'there is no need for the department to probe further', although he declined to say whether the officer would be charged in court soon.
Tan Sri Musa refused comment yesterday, except to deny any rift. Meanwhile, Datuk Ramli also claimed to be on cordial terms with Tan Sri Musa, despite his allegations.
On one side of the showdown is the man accused of being on the take - Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusof, who is said to be backed by the Deputy Internal Security Minister.
On the other is police chief Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
The deep rift between the two sides has long been an open secret, with anonymous accusations of corruption and ties to the underworld traded on the Internet.
But yesterday, Datuk Ramli, who is alleged to have illegally amassed RM27 million (S$11.75 million), personally took the fight into the public arena.
He is claiming that investigations into his affairs began after his division took down one Mr Goh Cheng Poh, whom he claims had links to Johor crime.
'I have been suffering for the past three months,' he said at a press conference, surrounded by some 20 of his officers. He denied doing anything wrong, and said his assets were commensurate with his income level.
When asked whether he would quit the force, he said: 'Why should I resign? I've got a few more months to go. Why should I resign? The investigation is still on, I'm waiting for ACA officers to interview me anytime.'
He did not want to say why his investigation of Mr Goh could have led to his troubles, telling reporters repeatedly to 'read between the lines'.
According to him, his department's investigations led to Mr Goh being banished to rural Kelantan by Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum.
But soon after this, he claims the Anti-Corruption Agency and the police's Criminal Investigation Department cleared Mr Goh, and he was asked to send confidential case files containing names of informants to the Attorney-General.
He alleged the informants were later questioned by the ACA and their covers blown.
His problems did not stop there.
Subsequently, his legal adviser, Mr Rosli Dahlan, a Singaporean with Malaysian permanent resident status, was arrested and last month charged with failing to disclose his own assets on the order of the ACA.
And last week, four of his officers were charged with falsifying evidence in relation to Mr Goh's case.
'These are disturbing events and will undeniably have a deep impact...on...the police force as a whole,' he said.
Meanwhile, news agency Bernama reported that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail confirmed the ACA had completed its investigations of a senior police officer and 'there is no need for the department to probe further', although he declined to say whether the officer would be charged in court soon.
Tan Sri Musa refused comment yesterday, except to deny any rift. Meanwhile, Datuk Ramli also claimed to be on cordial terms with Tan Sri Musa, despite his allegations.
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