KOTA KINABALU: A survey of two plots of land in Lahad Datu was conducted last year for Syarikat Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd, co-owned by suspended senior policeman Datuk Ramli Yusuff.

Juru Ukur Massa Sdn Bhd surveyor Chen Hoi Wah, 71, told the Sessions Court that Datuk Muhammad Yasin (a director of Kinsajaya) appointed his company to survey the two plots, each measuring 197.6ha, in Ulu Tungku on Feb 9 last year.

Testifying at the trial of Ramli, former police Commercial Crime Investigations Department director, Chen said Kinsajaya was owned by Ramli.

"I ordered one of my company surveyors, William Siew, to carry out the work on June 21 but he called me two days later saying villagers were protesting against it."

Three witnesses testified yesterday before judge Supang Lian.
"Juru Ukur Massa did not continue," said Chen.

Ramli is charged with misusing his position by taking two civilians with him in a police Cessna Caravan aircraft to survey two plots of land for commercial purposes in June last year.

He is said to have a stake in Syarikat Kinsajaya, which had an interest in the land in the Tunku area on Sabah's east coast.

Chen was the first of the 25 witnesses expected to be called by the prosecution led by deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais and assisted by Joyce Blassius.

Ramli was represented by counsel James Tsai and Dr Lim Hock Ling.

Another witness, former state natural resource secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Sidek, 58, said he signed the approval for Kinsajaya's agricultural development application for the two plots of land.

State Malaysian Companies Commissioner Rosidah Mahmud, 28, confirmed the appointments of Ramli and Muhammad as directors of Kinsajaya on April 25, 2006.

The trial continues today.