LCS project: Former navy commander given DNAA for CBT involving RM21 million

KUALA LUMPUR - The Sessions Court here today discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) former Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) managing director Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor of three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM21.08 million related to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project.

Judge Suzana Hussin made the order after allowing an application by lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, representing Ahmad Ramli, 81, who is also a former Navy Commander, for his client to be released without bail following a report on his client’s mental condition.

The lawyer told the court that a psychiatrist from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) found Ahmad Ramli unfit to stand trial due to his mental condition.

"Taking into account the submissions of the parties and the medical report on the mental condition of the accused by HKL, the assessment is that the accused is unfit to stand trial.

"Therefore, the accused is discharged without being acquitted of all charges," said Suzana during the mention of the case today.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the court that Ahmad Ramli’s representation, submitted last Jan 10, had been rejected and the prosecution was ready to proceed with the case for trial.

Mohd Yusof then said that on Dec 5 last year, the court had been informed about the examination and medical report submitted by HKL which found his client not fit to stand trial because he was not able to defend himself.

Mahadi said the prosecution took note of that and left it to the discretion of the court.

Ramli was charged on Aug 16, 2022, with being BNS managing director entrusted with the company’s funds, to have committed CBT by approving a payment amounting to RM13,541,140 to the account of Syarikat Setaria Holding Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, 6 Battery RD, Singapore 049909, without the approval of the BNS Board of Directors.

The offence was allegedly committed at BNS, 17th floor, Menara Boustead, 69 Jalan Raja Chulan, between July 26, 2010, and March 25, 2011.

On the second charge, he was alleged to have approved payment amounting to RM1,360,716 to the account of JSD Corporation, the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, 65 Chulia Street, OCBC Centre, Singapore, without the approval of the BNS Board of Directors at the same place between April 19, 2011, and May 4, 2011.

He was also charged with committing a similar offence by approving a payment amounting to RM6,182,295 to the account of Syarikat Sousmarin Armada Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, 6 Battery Road, Singapore at the same place between Oct 28, 2010, and Nov 22, 2010.

The three charges were framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code which provides imprisonment for up to 20 years with whipping and is liable to fine if found guilty. - BERNAMA