THE decision on whether former Labuan lawmaker Rozman Isli will be called to enter his defence or acquitted on a charge of using his position to obtain an employment contract for Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM), will be known tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

Judge Rozina Ayob is scheduled to announce her decision at 3pm.

On March 6, the prosecution closed its case after calling 24 witnesses to the stand in the trial that began on August 11 last year.

Among the witnesses called were former Labuan Port Authority (LPL) board member Zulkurnain Ayub, former Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Chua Kok Ching and LPL Development and Investment Committee secretary Hida Jerman.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Feisal Mohd Azmi prosecuted while counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali represented Rozman.

Rozman was charged as an official of a public body to have used his position as deputy chairman of the Labuan Port Authority to obtain gratification, namely an employment contract as the operator for Dermaga Merdeka Pelabuhan Labuan for LLPM, in which his father and younger brother have an interest in.

The offence was allegedly committed at a meeting room, level 9, Transport Ministry, Jalan Tun Hussein, Precinct 4, Putrajaya between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on March 21, 2018.

He was charged under section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher. – Bernama, May 29, 2023.