Heading out: A file photo of Ahmad Ramli at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex.
Ahmad Ramli granted DNAA over health issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here has granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to former Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) managing director Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor over three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT).
The case involved RM21.08mil related to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project.
Judge Suzana Hussin made the order yesterday after allowing an application by Ahmad Ramli’s lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden 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 Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) found Ahmad Ramli, 82, who is a former Navy commander, 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 yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the court that Ahmad Ramli’s representation, submitted on 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, 2024, the court had been informed about the examination and medical report submitted by HKL which found his client unfit 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, as 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 Ltd with Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore, without the approval of the BNS board.
The offence was allegedly committed at BNS, 17th floor, Menara Boustead in Jalan Raja Chulan here between July 26, 2010, and March 25, 2011.
For the second charge, he was alleged to have approved payment amounting to RM1,360,716 to the account of JSD Corporation with OCBC Singapore without the approval of the BNS board 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 with the same Standard Chartered Bank in 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 for imprisonment of up to 20 years with whipping, along with a fine, upon conviction.
