THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today released and acquitted former Labuan MP Rozman Isli from an abuse of power charge in relation to obtaining an employment contract for Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM) five years ago. 

Judge Rozina Ayob ruled the prosecution failed to raise a prima facie case against Rozman, 59.

“The accused is released and acquitted without being called to enter his defence. The accused’s passport and bail of RM100,000 is hereby returned to him,” said the judge.

Rozman, in his capacity as a public official, was charged with using his position as deputy chairman of the Labuan Port Authority to obtain gratification in the form of an employment contract as an operator for Labuan Port Merdeka Wharf for LLPM, in which his father and brother have stakes.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Transport Ministry in Putrajaya between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on March 21, 2018.

The charge was brought under section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under section 24(1) of the same law, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher. – Bernama, June 26, 2023.