FORMER Endau assemblyman Abdul Latif Bandi expressed his gratitude for the Johor Baru Sessions Court’s decision today, which acquitted and discharged him of charges of corruption and money laundering, involving RM35.7 million, five years ago.

Latif, when met outside the court, said he now wants to spend more time with his family.

“I am grateful to Allah SWT, my family, lawyers and friends who are always with me. Now, I will spend more time with my family,” he said.

Earlier, Latif, 56, together with his son, Ahmad Fauzan Hatim, 30, “sujud syukur” (prostration of gratitude) in the courtroom after the verdict was delivered by judge Kamarudin Kamsun.

Latif, in a batik shirt, was also seen hugging his wife, Nor Karmila Md Nor, outside the courtroom, tearful yet happy with the decision.

Also acquitted and discharged was real estate consultant Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 49.

Kamaruddin made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against the three.

Latif was charged with 33 counts of corruption and 13 counts of money laundering, while Fauzan was charged with four counts of money laundering and Shariffuddin, 33 counts of corruption and four counts of money laundering.

On April 21, 2019, the Johor Baru Sessions Court acquitted and discharged Latif of 37 charges of corruption and money laundering involving more than RM30 million.

However, on November 7 last year, the High Court ordered the former state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman and the two others to enter their defence following a ruling by judge Abu Bakar Katar that the Sessions Court had erred in its decision.

Meanwhile, deputy director I of the Legal and Prosecution Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution, said he will file an appeal next week. – Bernama, August 7, 2022.