Prosecution withdraws appeal against Rosli Dahlan

Five years ago lawyer Rosli Dahlan was humiliated when he was arrested and handcuffed by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) at his law firm and later charged on Hari Raya’s eve with allegedly not complying with the agency’s procedures to declare his assets.

Today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) decided to withdraw its appeal over his Sessions Court acquittal at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazali Mohamad informed the matter to Justice Mohd Azman Hussin today.

Following this, Justice Azman recorded the withdrawal of the appeal.

This is the last case involving former Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Ramli Yusuff over what is now described as the Copgate affair involving police investigations on the then-inspector-general of police Musa Hassan over his alleged involvement with kingpin Goh Cheng Poh or Tengku Goh.

Rosli (right in photo), meanwhile, had helped draw up the affidavits of former deputy home minister Johari Baharom, Ramli and several of his men when the Attorney-General’s Chambers had allegedly fell short in its duties after Tengku Goh, who was arrested and placed under restricted residence, filed a habeas corpus application.

Rosli, when met, said he had always maintained his innocence from day one and should not have been charged.

“I questioned the prosecution over why they informed me late about their decision to withdraw. If not, I would not have had to file an affidavit to challenge the appeal,” he said.

“Even my lawyer had prepared submissions for the appeal and now I have to pay him,” he said jokingly.

Today, he said, is a birthday of sorts for him.

Rosli was represented by lawyer K Kumaraendran.

[More to follow]