Former NS RTD director cleared of graft charge
SEREMBAN, May 16 — A former Negri Sembilan Road Transport Department (RTD) director was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here today of accepting a return flight ticket and accommodation from a driving institute to attend a meeting in Sabah two years ago.
Judge Datin Nusinah Adzmi made the decision after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Mohd Kamal Saad, 58.
Mohd Kamal was charged with accepting a return flight ticket for Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur worth RM298 and a one night accommodation at the Prominade Hotel, Kota Kinabalu worth RM390 from Sharifah Norliza Syed Hamid, 45, the owner of a driving institute, Empatsempurna (M) Sdn Bhd located in Lukut, Port Dickson.
He was alleged to have accepted the ticket and the accommodation without prejudice on July 21, 2010 even though he knew that Sharifah Norliza was also involved in the meeting between Negri Sembilan RTD and driving institutes in Kota Kinabalu from July 24 to 26.
Mohd Kamal was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum jail term of two years or fine, or both, upon conviction.
Speaking to reporters outside the court room, Mohd Kamal said he hoped the court’s decision would clear his name and change the negative public perception on him.
“I would like to thank my panel of three lawyers for their service and to my family and friends who have been supporting me until I’m freed from the charge,” he said.
Deputy public prosecutor from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Mohd Fairuz Johari, appeared for the prosecution, while Mohd Kamal was represented by Faiz Fadzil, Haresh Mahadevan and Ramzani Idris. — Bernama
