Prosecution withdraws appeal against businessman’s acquittal

PUTRAJAYA: Businessman Shamsubahrin Ismail remains a free man following the withdrawal of the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal and discharge on five counts of cheating National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, involving RM1.75 million, and 17 counts of money laundering.

Deputy public prosecutor Dhiya Syazwani Izyan Mohd Akhir informed a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by judge Datuk Kamardin Hashim that the prosecution had filed the notice of discontinuance of the appeal last March 18.

“We request to withdraw the appeal and for the appeal to be dismissed,” she said.

Judge Kamardin, sitting with judges Datuk Rodhzariah Bujang and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, then dismissed the appeal.

Shamsubahrin, represented by lawyer Haijan Omar, was in court yesterday.

The prosecution had appealed against a decision handed by Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Azman Abdullah on July 5, 2017, in acquitting and discharging Shamsubahrin of all the charges after allowing his appeal against a Sessions Court’s decision.

On May 18, 2015, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court found Shamsubahrin guilty of all the charges and sentenced him to eight years jail and four strokes of the cane for cheating and imprisonment for between six months and five years for the money laundering charges.

He was also ordered to pay RM611,895.94 in penalty.