RM27M Cop – More Surprises; AG – Inestigations completed; Ramli – still on; Case of Too Many Assets & Shares & forget to declare; Proxy war on?

RM27M Cop – More Surprises; AG – Inestigations completed; Ramli – still on; Case of Too Many Assets & Shares & forget to declare; Proxy war on?

Malaysiakini came out with a late report on

Top cop: Something fishy about ACA probe Andrew Ong | Oct 30, 07 7:28pm in addition to its earlier reports on
Commercial crime chief: I’m RM27 mil man

Ramli: There's a disturbance in the force

and Malaysiakini.tv On

200 years of policing and 50 years of Independence

From the statement quoting the AG Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patel, it is very surprising to note that the ACA has wrapped up the investigation of this case without even interviewing him?. From Datuk Ramli’s transcripts he had mentioned “he is waiting for the BPR Officers to come and interview me anytime” and he mentioned “investigation is going on” . And to add further confusion the AG has stated “and there is no need for the department to probe further on the case” So what is going on?. Can the ACA finish a probe without seeing him or they have done so previously?
Datuk Ramli must have got wind that the ACA held a meeting over his case on Monday – “a discussion on Ramli’s case had been held on Monday” see NST report quoting AG. and he must have been prompted and directed to reveal all on Tuesday - a surprise according to NST.
And from the NST Q & A below, it can be seen he over crossed the “boundary” in investigations prompted by the Deputy Internal Security Minister. His portfolio is CCID and he uses CID laws. Contrary to what the Deputy Minister Fu Ah Kiow said, there is a proxy war in the areas of protection.
It now appears the disputed RM27M figure is over some Sabah land he allegedly owned with a retired Army senior officer (which has not been legally transferred and “it is not ours yet”) & the extensive properties he owned and in share dealings. That is why he did not declare it and if this may be the bone of contention. He has also declared that his income since joining the forces 38 years ago exceeded the assets he own. If he is charge with false declaration, his accountant also should be charged with professional negligence but then he can claim he was “not inform” of all his assets.

The story of Ramli’s being investigated emerged 3 months ago and his confirmation came in the special media briefing he gave on Tuesday. He went on to say he had received a notice from ACA to declare his assets under Section 32 subsection a of the ACA act 1997.

The following is a Transcript of what he said (almost exact words) over the electronic media

(his spoken words can be heard in the Video Clip 3.28min H E R E )

“Today I confirm the officer mentioned in the NST and other papers, they are referring to me. The accusations that I have accumulated RM27M is not true”
The offence for the declaration of asset is in Section 12 but the notice that was given to me was under Section 32 a1. Investigation is still on but I am waiting for the BPR Officers to come and interview me anytime. Anytime I will go and answer whatever questions they will ask. BPR cannot released information on any officer under probe to anybody including to the press. It’s not fair to me all the information released about the RM27 million I have I think is not fair. Before being investigated, I was persecuted.
I have been suffering for 3 months since what appeared in the newspapers. The papers never clarified with me also. They made statements as when they like which I think is not fair. I am an ordinary human being, I have got feelings; I got my family. And what more I am from the IIU (International Islamic University) . We are from the first batch we have to maintain our standard when it comes to corruption, in terms of integrity in terms of whatever.
Section 22 1(a) it was mention there was a report against me. I was very surprised. Until Sept 2006, I was cleared from any corruption allegations. That is why I was confirmed 3-Star General.
“My source of income exceeds the assets since I joined the service 38 years ago.” He added his assets does not surpassed the RM27 million mark as alleged.

Datuk Ramli also took to task the ACA for allegedly breaching the conduct of their investigation. “I want to know how the probe details haven been leaked to the New Straits Times & Berita Harian from the ACA source. This contravenes Section 21 (4) under the ACA act which is highly confidential"

Meanwhile AG Tans Sri Abdul Ghani Patel without disclosing the name of the senior officer confirmed that the ACA has completed the probe of the case. and investigations papers have been submitted to his chambers for further action.

Commenting, he said “They are very good and they do the work well. They have wrapped up the investigations. They have refer directly to me”

ABOVE & BELOW: Datuk Ramli's alleged leakage of probe details to NST & Berita Harian

Read through the STAR, NST & Bernama accounts to have a FULL appreciation on what is going on. The electronic media is also divided and gave emphasis to and highlight certain points but they lack details due to air time constrains. The NST & Berita Harian have been singled out by him for having the privileged leaks from ACA.
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October 30, 2007 22:31 PM

"I Am The Officer Being Investigated By ACA," Says CCID Chief

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) Director Datuk Ramli Yusof has confirmed that he is the police officer being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for allegedly having RM27 million in undeclared assets. He told a press conference at his office here today that he had declared his assets to the ACA investigators but denied he owned assets worth RM27 million. He said that he had also provided the ACA an explanation about land alleged to belong to him in Sabah. "A company owned by me and a former senior military officer applied for the land belonging to the government. It is not yet ours," he said, adding that he had the permission of former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Bakri Omar to own shares and become a director in the company.

Ramli also voiced his disappointment that this investigation was reported widely through the media, although it was wrong to do so when it concerned a public official. "It violates Section 21 (4) of the Anti-Corruption Act where matters like this should not be leaked out. This is not fair to me," he said. Meanwhile, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail (ABOVE) confirmed that the ACA had completed its investigations on a senior police officer alleged to not have declared assets worth millions of ringgit. He said the ACA had handed over the investigation papers to his office and that he was going through them with his officers.

"I am satisfied with the investigation papers submitted by the ACA and there is no need for the department to probe further on the case," he told reporters after launching a book written by the Member of Parliament for Kota Baharu, Datuk Mohamad Zaid Ibrahim, here today. Abdul Gani, however, declined to comment on whether the senior police officer would be charged in court soon. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan did not want to comment on the ACA investigation. "I can't comment anything on this matter. It involves the authority of a different agency," he said when approached by reporters after the two-day 14th Malaysian Law Conference ended here today

= == = = from the STAR

Wednesday October 31, 2007

Ramli denies having RM27m
By RASHITHA A. HAMID

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Ramli Yusoff admitted yesterday that he was the “RM27mil cop” being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency, but denied that he had amassed such wealth. “I do not have RM27mil as alleged by several newspapers. My legal source of income – buying and selling properties including shares – is more than the assets that I have declared under oath. This is certified by an accountant,” he said, adding that he was investigated after a report was lodged against him with the ACA.

Comm Ramli said he had nothing to hide and was willing to work with the ACA and answer any question anytime. He said that as far as he knew, the ACA had cleared him of any wrongdoing as of Sept 2006, arguing that he would not have been promoted to the rank of commissioner otherwise. Comm Ramli said he only knew that he was under investigation by the ACA when the Pangkat Gagah Pasukan Polis (police gallantry award) that he was due to receive, was withheld earlier this year. Speaking at a packed press conference, which was attended by about 30 of this officers, at his office in Bukit Perdana, he said the land he owned in Sabah was government land that he had applied for, adding that the then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar had given his written consent. “My friend, a former army general and I bought the 800acre (323.3ha) plot and we made a partial payment of about RM200,000, which is 50% of the total value. “Anyway the land is not ours yet as we have yet to get the grant.'”Comm Ramli said the past three months had been “like living in hell.” He said he was also sad that certain newspapers had not checked or clarified with him prior to publishing the news. “I am a normal human being with feelings and I have my family to protect too,” he said. “You all (media) also should know what you have done to me,” he said, looking at reporters.

Comm Ramli also questioned the ACA's probe into his assets, saying Section 32(1)(b) of the ACA Act stated that all information surrounding investigations was confidential. “Several newspapers reports quoted ACA sources,” he said, adding that someone had leaked information to the press. Comm Ramli, who retires in March, denied speculation that he would be resigning. He said he had refrained from going to the press earlier as he wanted the ACA to carry out its investigations against him. “I have to be fair to them but unfortunately they are not being fair to me,” he said, adding that he would go on his umrah on Saturday “barring any obstacles”. Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the ACA's probe had been completed, adding that he was satisfied with the investigations. “They (ACA officers) are very good and do their work well. It is completed and it was referred directly to me,” he said. On action to be taken, he said: “We have to discuss it. Even yesterday we had some discussions on this issue.”

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Wednesday October 31, 2007, STAR
Ramli also slams agency’s treatment of informants
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Commercial Crime Investigations Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Ramli Yusoff criticised the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Attorney-General and the police for the manner in which they investigated the “RM27mil cop” case. Breaking his long silence on the controversy, he expressed concern over the way the ACA conducted its investigations against him and his officers, several of whom have been charged with falsifying witnesses’ statements.

“I do not have RM27mil as alleged by several newspapers. My legal source of income ... is more than the assets that I have declared under oath. This is certified by an accountant.- DATUK RAMLI YUSOFF (ABOVE)
“Within a week, several officers from the CCID were arrested and charged in court for allegedly falsifying evidence concerning the arrest and banishment of one Goh Cheng Poh @ Tunku.

“The CCID officers have been mistreated by the ACA and are yet to be protected by their own force. I hope the Internal Security Ministry will deal with the issues at hand,” he told a press conference at his office in Bukit Perdana yesterday. Comm Ramli said the names of confidential informants were disclosed in the charge sheets by the ACA and he was concerned that the identities of police informants were being exposed. He said given recent events, there exist a “clear and present danger” to the intelligence gathering ability of the force and its ability to protect its informants. Recapping the events leading to the investigations, Comm Ramli said that some time last year a joint committee and special task force was established at Cabinet level and police to combat the Ah Long and illegal gambling menace.

“The Deputy Internal Security Minister (ABOVE) gave specific directives to the CCID officers on the activities of certain crime syndicates operating in Johor involving certain Datuks and Justices of Peace (JPs). “The CCID investigations led to the eventual arrest, detention and banishment of Goh to Jeli, Kelantan. “The detention and banishment order was signed by the Deputy Internal Security Minister based on the intelligence gathered by the CCID,” said Comm Ramli, who named the deputy minister as Datuk Johari Baharom. Comm Ramli said Goh, who had also been banished previously, was also allegedly involved in a shooting incident in which a friend was shot and killed. Soon after the second banishment order, the press reported that the ACA and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had already investigated and cleared Goh of any wrongdoing. Comm Ramli said they had not taken into account the CCID’s investigations.

“Goh then applied to the High Court to set aside the banishment order. “In an unprecedented stance, the legal adviser of the ministry and an officer of the AG’s Chambers declined to advise us and directed that my officers and I prepare affidavits of the events for the benefit of the Deputy Internal Security Minister,” he said. Comm Ramli said given the time constraints, he and his officers sought legal advice from a private law firm who helped draw up the draft affidavits. He said he and his officers were then directed to submit the confidential case files containing the names of the informants to the AG’s Chambers. “I have since been made aware that the ACA officers have tracked down these informants and taken statements from them. “Subsequently, these informants have made further statements seeking protection from the Deputy Minister,” he said. Johari, when contacted last night, confirmed that he had directed the CCID to investigate the crime syndicates operating in Johor. “I did this as I received complaints from the public,” he added.
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Wednesday October 31, 2007

No ‘war’ between cops and ministry, says Fu

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no “war” between the police and the Internal Security Ministry, Deputy Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said in Parliament yesterday. “The issue of an internal war does not exist,” Fu told Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur). Lim had referred to Commercial Crimes Investigation Department chief Datuk Ramli Yusof's claim at a press conference earlier that after being exposed as the supposed “RM27mil top cop,” he had been marginalised by his police colleagues.
Lim also said that from the press report, it sounded as if there was a power play between the ministry and the police. Fu said if there were any differences among the police top brass, and between the police and the ministry, they could be settled internally.
He will continue his reply today.

= == = = ==and from NST, 2007/10/31

Surprise move by cop under probe

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Ramli Yusuff says the Anti- Corruption Agency is being unfair to him and his men.

KUALA LUMPUR: In what is seen as an unprecedented move, a senior police officer who is under investigation, has come out in the open to declare that he and his men have been victimised. Prior to this, Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Ramli Yusuff’s identity had not been revealed as he was still listed as a suspect. But he took everyone by surprise by publicly admitting that he is the cop who is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency for alleged abuse of power and failure to declare assets worth up to RM27 million. At almost the same time that Ramli was holding his press conference at his office in Bukit Perdana, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was telling reporters at another function that investigations on the “senior police officer” had been completed. “The ACA and police have done their work well. The papers are with me now,” Gani said. He said a discussion on Ramli’s case had been held on Monday but declined to elaborate further. He also refused to say what the next course of action would be.

Ramli, meanwhile, said he decided to come out in the open because he felt the ACA had been unfair to him and the force had not protected his men. The director was referring to media reports which highlighted the ACA’s probe against him. “There have been numerous reports on the senior police officer who is being investigated for alleged abuse of power and failure to declare RM27 million worth of assets. “I am the officer at the centre of the probe by the ACA,” Ramli said, adding that many of his own officers had been speculating on the identity of the individual who was being investigated. “However, this investigation was confidential. I am disappointed that details have been leaked to the media.”
Ramli said the past three months had been a trying time for him and his family.

“I have been suffering since all these reports were published in the media and it is unfair. The press should know what they have done to me,” Ramli said, adding that he had been cleared of corruption allegations up to Sept last year. “That was when I was confirmed as a three-star general (Commissioner of Police). I was also in line to receive the Panglima Gagah Pasukan Polis, the highest award for a serving officer.” He claimed that the investigation by the ACA had resulted in him not getting the award. He then took a swipe at the police force for not protecting his men — sergeant-major Hasan Ahmad, DSP Baharin Mohd Rose and ASP Hong Ken Hock — who were charged with falsifying and using forged documents. All three were charged in connection with the detention of an alleged gambling kingpin, identified as Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku, under preventive laws. Goh was cleared of any wrongdoing by the ACA and the Criminal Investigations Department, but had been sent to Jeli under the Restricted Residence Act, based on recommendations from Ramli’s department. “In the charge sheets against my men, the names of their confidential informants were disclosed,” Ramli said.

“These are disturbing events and will undeniably have a deep impact, not only on the CCID but the police force as a whole. The CCID officers have been istreated by the ACA and are yet to be protected by their own force.” Asked whether there was friction between himself and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Ramli said he enjoyed a cordial relationship with Musa, having worked together for many years.“I have no enemies in the police force. I do not make enemies,” he said when asked whether he had enemies trying to make trouble for him. Earlier, just as the press conference was about to begin, Ramli had ordered reporters from Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today to leave the room. “I am sorry, but this is a press conference, not a political forum,” he said. Meanwhile, the IGP refused to comment on the issue when met at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre where he presented a paper at the 14th Malaysia Law Conference. “We had differences of opinion. Does that count as friction between us?” Musa replied when asked about his relationship with Ramli.

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’Former IGP gave me blessings to own shares’
EXCERPTS from a press conference by Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Ramli Yusuff:

Q: Why did you decide to tell all today?
A: I have kept silent on this issue because I wanted the ACA to do their job. But they have not been fair to me by leaking the issue to the media. Also, I want to clarify the arrest and prosecution of officers from my department, who are alleged to have falsified documents in connection with the banishment of one Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku.

Q: Are reports that you accumulated personal wealth of RM27 million true?
A: I have submitted a declaration of my assets to the ACA with the assistance of an accountant. At present, my personal income exceeds that of my personal assets. I have served the force for almost 38 years. I was asked to declare my personal assets under Section 32 of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997. It is an offence to submit a false declaration.

Q: What about reports of your shares in a development company in Sabah?
A: Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar gave me his blessings to own shares and to be a director of the company. This is a shelf company jointly purchased by my partner, a retired general, and me. So, if you look at what was reported about a big development company, it was untrue.

Q: What about allegations of adopting a high-handed approach in acquiring land in Sabah?
A: The land we wished to acquire was 800 acres, 400 acres for me and 400 for my partner. The premium we paid for the land was RM500 per acre. If you multiply RM500 with 400 acres, it only comes up to RM400,000. So we each paid for our respective halves. The land is not mine yet as a survey has yet to be conducted nor has a grant been issued. Therefore, the piece of land in question does not belong to us yet.

Q: On the allegations of detaining a suspected gambling kingpin under preventive laws (gambling does not fall under the jurisdiction of the commercial crime department)?
A: On July 17, I was directed by the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Johari Baharum, to investigate illegal money-lending activities in Malaysia. I was appointed head of the task force and received written orders to carry out these responsibilities. I directed my officers to carry out investigations. In the course of the probe, a new problem emerged, which involved illegal gambling activities. I used powers granted to the police force to do the necessary. It does not mean that since I am not a CID officer, I cannot investigate loan sharks or illegal gambling.

Q: Does that mean your department also has the authority to detain a person under preventive laws?
A: The commercial crime department split from the CID and became a separate entity on Jan 5, 2005. However, nothing concrete was mentioned about the laws we could use in investigations, so we were forced to follow what was available to the CID. That was the reason why we used powers available to us to investigate the businessman, one Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku, in Johor Baru. Johari was briefed on every single action or steps taken in the course of investigations. The briefing was done regularly until Goh was banished to Jeli, Kelan- tan, under the Restricted Residence Act.

Q: Why was Goh Cheng Poh investigated by your department after he had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the ACA and CID?
A: This did not include the subject matter (gambling). The merits of his banishment are a matter within the subjective purview and prerogative of the Deputy Internal Security Minister.

Q: Your concerns of police informants being exposed during the course of investigations by the ACA?
A: The prime minister mentioned the importance of protecting whistle-blowers and informants. The police force has to protect its informants. I am concerned by the manner in which the identities of police informants were dealt with in the ACA investigations. The identities were obtained through the circumvention of the Inspector-General of Police’s standing orders. There is a clear danger to the intelligence-gathering ability of the police force and its ability to protect its informants.

Q: Are rumours of your impending resignation true?
A: No. I have a few months to go before I retire, so why should I resign? I will be going for the umrah and performing the haj in December, God willing.

Q: Does this mean you have been cleared by ACA investigations?
A: No. The investigations are still on. I am waiting for ACA officers to interview me.

= = == = = some other news

October 30, 2007 21:52 PM

Abdullah's Speech At Umno Assembly Likely To Touch On Next Election

By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to touch on preparations for the next general election in his policy speech at the Umno General Assembly next week, Umno Vice-President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said here today. Prime Minister Abdullah, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, was likely to speak on the need to improve co-operation among the BN component parties and create the appropriate mood to set the BN on course for an even greater victory in the election, he added. "The president's policy speech is bound to touch on the preparations for the elections because the party leadership has been reminding all party members of this since last year. Surely, the election is approaching," he said after visiting the Royal Citralada Projects, an institute aiming to research and study aagricultural product processing, at the Citralada Palace here.

Muhyiddin said Abdullah was also expected to ask Umno members and supporters to look through the electoral rolls, resolve all issues and fulfill the promises made during the last general election. Asked on the Umno Supreme Council's decision not to telecast the assembly live, he said the media could still cover the debates during the assembly from Nov 5 to 9. A total of 2,500 delegates from 190 divisions are expected to attend the assembly. He said the party leadership did not want the assembly to be turned into a place for bashing other communities as this could cause friction. "It is important to refrain from making allegations which can cause others to view Umno as insensitive to the feelings of others," he said. However, any debate on the lot of the Malays might have reference to other communities, he said, adding that this must be done rationally.

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October 30, 2007 17:42 PM
Let The ACA Do Their Job, Says Abdullah

KUANTAN, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) are fully aware of their task in charging those people in court for allegedly being involved in malpractices as exposed by the Auditor-General's report 2006 recently. As such, the Prime Minister wanted everyone to let the ACA carry out their job. "Let the ACA do their job, the agency is not that stupid, they know how to carry out their job," Abdullah said when asked to comment on the statement by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) calling on the ACA to also charge the `sharks' instead of merely hauling in the `small fish' who were allegedly involved in malpractices exposed in the Auditor-General's report. Yesterday,

PAC Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, in his statement, also urged the government to blacklist the supplying companies allegedly involved in the malpractices in managing public funds.
When asked to comment on his fourth anniversary as Prime Minister tomorrow, Abdullah retorted with a question: "Tomorrow? Let's talk about other things first, (but) Alhamdulillah, it has been four years isn't it? Thank you."
Abdullah assumed the post of Prime Minister on Oct 31, 2003 succeeding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Abdullah was met by reporters after launching the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) at the Pahang state level, here.

= == = = =Go H E R E for the latest post ON

Nazri’s Reactions to RM27M Ramli’s Disclosure; Use the Court & Not the Press; What leakages?, No names mention; Shameful to wash dirty linen in Public?

= == == = = and the Bersih gathering has been declared illegal by the Police. More details loading...