Labuan MP files bid to quash abuse of power charge
SHAH ALAM - Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli is seeking to quash his abuse of power charge involving a contract linked to a company belonging to his family.
He filed an application through law firm Messrs Law Practice of Rafique on Monday (Feb 7).
The application was being made on the basis that the charge was groundless and that the prosecution against him was done in bad faith.
According to a notice of motion sighted by Sinar Daily, Rozman claimed that there would be a miscarriage of justice if the prosecution against him proceeds.
He said the charge which he claimed was unsustainable, amounted to an abuse of the court process.
Besides seeking for his charge to be struck out, the Parti Warisan Sabah lawmaker also wants the court to make an order of acquittal against him.
He is also seeking for his case to be stayed until the disposal of his application.
Based on the court’s e-filing system, the hearing of the application has been fixed for March 2.
On Oct 14, last year, Rozman, 58, claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to a charge of using his position as the Labuan Port Authority deputy chairman to secure gratification in a form of an employment contract as the the operator of Dermaga Merdeka Pelabuhan Labuan, for Labuan Port Management Sdn Bhd.
Labuan Port Management was said to be a company which Rozman’s father and brother have interests in.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Transport Ministry headquarters in Jalan Tun Hussein, Presint 4, Putrajaya, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on March 23, 2018.
He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 which was punishable under Section 24 (1) of the Act which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the amount or value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
On Dec 16, last year, judge Rozina Ayob fixed five days for trial beginning May 9.
The prosecution planned to call 42 witnesses.
