Malaysian top cop accused of hiding assets worth $430K

Commercial Crimes chief is freed on bail; case reflects a rift within police
The Straits Times, November 2, 2007
By Chow Kum Hor, Malaysia Correspondent


KUALA LUMPUR - A TOP Malaysian police officer embroiled in a corruption scandal appeared in court yesterday, charged with concealing assets worth at least RM1million (S$430,000).

The latest twist in what appears to be a split at the top of the police force comes two days after Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusof called an unprecedented press conference and lashed out at the force for victimising him and blowing the covers of police informants.

At the press conference, Ramli practically challenged the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to act, saying he was 'waiting for ACA to interview me anytime'.

Yesterday, the authorities obliged, and charged the 55-year-old with failing to declare ownership of two office lots in Kuala Lumpur together worth about RM1 million, and 154,000 shares in a property development company.

It is not known how much the shares are worth, but during Tuesday's press conference, Ramli said he was being investigated by the ACA for allegedly concealing assets worth RM27million.

If convicted, the country's third most senior policeman faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to RM100,000.

Ramli - now dubbed the '27 Million Ringgit Cop' - has also been charged with being the director of a real estate company. Civil servants are barred from holding such appointments, and the offence carries a maximum seven-year jail term.

He has denied all charges and is currently free on RM20,000 bail. The trial is scheduled to start on Jan 15 next year.

Dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, Ramli arrived in the sessions court without handcuffs and looked calm as the charges were read out.

He was accompanied by his wife, Madam Anita Haron, a judge who works in the same complex.

Ramli is set to go on pilgrimage to Mecca tomorrow, and has been allowed to keep his passport.

He is due to retire in March after 38 years in the police force, and his lawyer, Datuk K. Kumaraendran, told the court: 'The current charge has cast a shadow on his character and credibility as a respectable senior officer.'

Datuk Kumaraendran also told the court his client believes he is being used to create the impression that Malaysia has been taking serious steps against corruption, following Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's pledge to crack down on graft.

On Tuesday, Ramli had claimed that the probe into him began when his division detained Mr Goh Cheng Poh, an alleged underworld figure with links to Johor crime.

He also alleged that news of the probe was leaked to the media, and that informants in the Goh case had their covers blown after being questioned by the ACA.

Ramli's problems appear to be linked to a power struggle between police chief Musa Hassan and Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum.

The case also threatens to further tarnish the image of Malaysia's police force, which has long suffered a reputation for bribery, inefficiency and failure to respect human rights.

A commentary in The Star newspaper reflected the shock around the country at the open rift in the top echelons of the force.

In his article, the paper's top editor, Datuk Wong Chun Wai, wrote yesterday: 'The power play is somewhat scary, if not macabre, to most Malaysians, who have never witnessed such open tension within the police force.

'Maybe it's Halloween but the can of worms being opened is disturbing, nevertheless.'