KUALA LUMPUR: Former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Ku Chin Wah was discharged and acquitted today by the sessions court on a charge of failing to declare all his sources of earnings of almost RM1 million, about four years ago.
In acquitting Ku, judge Sohaini Alias said the defence had created doubt as to the prosecution's case, while the prosecution failed to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt.
"The accused had declared all his earnings as required by law to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)," the judge said.
Sohaini also ordered Ku's bail of RM30,000 be returned to him.
Friends, family and colleagues in the public gallery cheered and clapped as soon as Ku was acquitted, to which he replied “Thank you, thank you, thank you so much”.
Ku, 58, who is now attached to the Bukit Aman CID Management Division, pleaded “not guilty” to failing to declare his acquisition of a RM961,500 commission in a sworn declaration.
He allegedly committed the offence at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya between Dec 23, 2013 and Jan 21, 2014.
Ku was charged under Section 49 (3) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a maximum RM1 million fine, or a jail term of not more than a year, or both, upon conviction.
It was reported that a probe on a senior officer with a 'Datuk' title – linked to a case of money laundering involving RM6 million – had led to a massive transfer of senior officers nationwide. The money was discovered in various accounts.
Counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent represented Ku, while deputy public prosecutor Budiman Lufti Mohamed appeared for the prosecution.