MUSA Aman’s lawyer today called the corruption and money-laundering charges against his client in relation to timber concessions “baseless” as the monies paid to him were political donations.
The former Sabah chief minister was acquitted today by the Kuala Lumpur High Court after the prosecution withdrew all 46 charges on instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The Umno politician was accused of abusing his position as the chief minister and Sabah Foundation chairman to receive US$50 million (RM213 million) from eight logging concessionaires as inducement to approve logging concessions for 16 companies between 2004 and 2008.
Musa’s lead defence counsel Amer Hamzah said Musa had previously been cleared in an investigation, which found the monies in question to be political contributions from supporters, Barisan Nasional and and Umno leaders.
The funds were to be used to fund election campaigns and other political activities.
“All the relevant documents were supplied to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” Amer said in a statement today.
“At all material times, the political contributions did not involve any project of the Sabah government, timber concessions and were never done on a quid pro quo basis.
“The giving or receiving of political contributions is not an offence in Malaysia.”
The matter was clarified in an October 7, 2017 statement by then MACC deputy chief commissioner Azam Baki who said it was not a crime to give or receive political contributions and that the MACC had no jurisdiction over such matters.
“Based on the reasons given above, we believe Attorney-General Idrus Harun, along with the deputy public prosecutors handling this case, have objectively examined and weighed our representation filed at court, and have taken into consideration all legal aspects,” he said.
Amer added that the prosecution may decline to prosecute further at any stage under Section 254 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as was done this morning.
Justice Muhammad Jamil Hussin, after hearing the defence’s application, allowed Musa to be discharged and acquitted.
The defence had earlier applied to strike out the charges, claiming they amounted to “political persecution” after the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong (ICAC) had decided not to charge Musa over the same case in 2011.
Amer, in his statement today, said the prosecution changed its mind after Musa decided to challenge a court ruling that declared he was not the chief minister following the 2018 general election.
In the state elections, Musa led Barisan Nasional to win 29 seats. Warisan president Shafie Apdal, together with DAP and PKR, secured 29 seats. BN, together with Star, which won two seats, then formed the ruling coalition, leading Musa to be sworn in on May 10.
However, five assemblymen from BN component United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation defected to Warisan, causing the BN government to fall and Shafie to be sworn in as chief minister on May 12.
Today’s acquittal means Musa cannot be tried again for the same offences. There are no other outstanding criminal charges against the 69-year-old.
The Federal Court is hearing a civil case where he is suing to be recognised as the rightful Sabah chief minister. – June 9, 2020.
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Comments
Moo needs the support of crooks and religious liars to continue as PM8!
We are back to the kleptocrat era.
Well done, Bolehland!
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