Rafizi let off with good behaviour bond for OSA conviction

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli was today let off with a two-year good behaviour bond of RM10,000 by the Court of Appeal for his conviction under the Official Secrets Act 1972.

Initially, Rafizi had been sentenced to 18 months’ jail for possessing and exposing details of the then-confidential 1MDB audit report at a press conference in Parliament on March 24, 2016. 

The three-member panel led by Justice Ahmadi Asnawi allowed the bond of good behaviour after DPP Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud did not object to the proposal of Rafizi's lawyer, Ahmad Nizam Hamid.

Ahmad Nizam said Rafizi had not appealed against the conviction, but the sentence of 18 months jail.

The other two judges were Justice Ab Karim Ab Rahman and Justice Kamardin Hashim before a packed courtroom.

Newly elected Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasrullah Nasir will stand Rafizi’s bond.

Despite not having to serve the jail sentence, Rafizi still has a conviction under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 where he was sentencedto 30 months by the Shah Alam Sessions Court last year.

Ahmad Nizam, who appeared with Saiful Izham Ramli, told reporters that they would like to thank Awang Armadajaya for agreeing to a bond on good behaviour.

"Given the circumstances that we did not appeal the conviction, it is good," he said.

Ahmad Nizam earlier told the court to let the focus be on healing the country and to move forward from the sentence.

Prepared for the eventuality of jail

Rafizi, commenting on today's decision, said he was prepared to face any eventuality, including imprisonment.

"We take the stand that we would not appeal against the conviction. I am thankful for the decision today as this case is regarding public interests," he said.

Reminiscing, Rafizi said he expressed no regret over what happened as what he did in exposing the 1MDB audit report was his responsibility as an MP, and he was prepared to face any circumstances.

"My consideration is that I am doing this (exposure) for public interests," he said.

Two years ago, Kuala Lumpur Sessions judge Zulqarnain Hassan found Rafizi guilty of two counts under the OSA.

The decision was then upheld by the High Court. When Pakatan Harapan won the May 9 general election, the 1MDB report was declassified. -Mkini