Ex-Labuan MP walks free from power abuse case

The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur has acquitted Rozman Isli of an abuse of power case linked to his previous tenure as Labuan Port Authority (LPA) deputy chairperson in 2018.

Judge Rozina Ayob this afternoon ruled that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against the former Labuan MP.

Rozman was on trial over the allegation that as then-officer of a government agency or deputy chairperson of LPA, he had used his position to solicit bribes for an employment contract - namely to operate Dermaga Merdeka Pelabuhan Labuan, for Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM), in which his father and younger brother have an interest.

During the open-court proceedings, Rozina ruled that prosecution witnesses showed that the LPA board meetings have never been influenced by Rozman, who was only a deputy chairperson at the time.

The judge pointed out that the board meetings - chaired by then LPA chairperson Wee Jeck Seng and who is now Tanjung Piai MP - have made a collective decision on the issue of the contract.

“In fact, the meeting was chaired by Wee as the chairperson who has the higher power at the time.

“No prosecution witnesses have said that the accused tried to influence the meeting so that only Labuan Liberty Port Management would be appointed.

“This court found that the prosecution’s failure to call Wee, who has the highest authority, has created an adverse inference (against the prosecution’s case),” Rozina said.

Counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali represented the accused.

Deputy public prosecutors Abd Muntaqim Abdul Aziz and Ahmad Feisal Mohd Azmi made up the prosecution team.

Claimed trial

The prosecution closed its case on March 6 after 24 of its witnesses took the stand.

Rozman, 58, claimed trial for the single graft charge before the Sessions Court on Oct 14, 2021.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at the TKSU meeting room, Level 9, Transport Ministry, Jalan Tun Hussein, Precinct 4 in Putrajaya, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on March 21, 2018.

Rozman was the Labuan MP from May 5, 2013, until Nov 19 last year.

The charge is framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act with a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a fine of five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

During a press conference held immediately after he was charged, the Warisan member claimed he was hauled to court over his refusal to defect from Warisan and back the Perikatan Nasional administration. - Mkini