Ex-CID chief freed of charge of failing to declare sources of earnings
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department ( CID) chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here yesterday on a charge of failing to declare the source of his earnings three years ago.
Judge Sohaini Alias made the decision after finding that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused.
In her judgment, Sohaini said the court found that Ku, 59, had completed the form(s) in an orderly manner based on the format given by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“The court finds that the accused did not have the intention to hide any information or fact as required by the MACC over his assets.
“The court has decided that the accused had complied with the terms of notice by declaring all his earnings...Therefore, the court acquitted and discharged the accused from the charge,” she said.
The quiet and calm atmosphere in the courtroom then filled with the sound of cheers and applause as soon as Sohaini read out the verdict.
Several supporters of Ku who attended the proceeding were seen shaking hands with each other.
Ku was charged with failing to comply with a notice under Section 49(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act dated Dec 23, 2013 when he failed to declare the source of earnings in a sworn statement dated Jan 8, 2014.
He allegedly committed the offence at the MACC headquarters, Block D6, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya between Dec 23, 2013 and Jan 21, 2014.
The charge, under Section 49(3) of the same law, carries a fine of up to RM1 million, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, if found guilty.
A total of seven witnesses from the prosecution and one from the defence, namely Ku, were called to testify during the hearing.
Ku, who is now with the Bukit Aman CID secretariat, however, declined to comment further when he was approached by the media. Instead, he just smiled and thanked everyone present.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Budiman Lufti Mohamed, while Ku was represented by counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent. — Bernama