Dec.17, 2009, 18:12 PM

More than two months ago, he was freed of two counts of bribery involving RM237,000, in connection with the appointment of two consultancy companies in 2000.

Today, former Kesas Sdn Bhd chief executive officer (CEO) Ahmad Kamaruzaman Abdullah was acquitted and discharged of another charge of accepting a RM254,000 bribe.

Sessions Court Judge M. Gunalan made the decision after the defence managed to cast a reasonable doubt over the prosecution's case.

During the trial, deputy public prosecutor Roziza Sidek from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had called in 20 witnesses, while Mat Zaidan Ali who appeared for the defence, called in two.

On Jan 27, 2007, Ahmad Kamaruzaman who was Kesas CEO, pleaded not guilty to receiving a RM254,000 bribe which was deposited into his account from Lintas Lurus Sdn Bhd officer Sanusi Damak.

It was alleged to have been a reward for appointing the company as Kesas' consultant for a proposed lay-by and public facilities, including a petrol station, at the 34km Shah Alam Expressway (from east and west).

Ahmad Kamaruzaman was charged with receiving the bribe at Bumiputera Commerce Bank Berhad, Kompleks Antarabangsa, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, at 4.10pm on July 18, 2000.

In his judgment, Gunalan said, based on the testimony of witnesses, the court found that the amount of the bribe alleged to have been given to Ahmad Kamaruzaman was different from the amount alleged to have been received by him (Ahmad Kamaruzaman).

The judge said the complainant, when lodging the report, had not even stated the method of payment used in the bribery.

"The accused's testimony that he had not received the payment personally was not completely challenged by the prosecution. Based on the excuses and several weaknesses in the testimony, the court found that there is a reasonable doubt and as such, the accused is acquitted and discharged," he said.

In the same court on Oct 6, Ahmad Kamaruzaman was also acquitted and discharged of receiving a cheque of RM157,000 from Lintas Lurus director Rosnah Yusoff, in return for appointing the company for the same purpose.

He was also freed of receiving a cheque for RM80,000 in the name of Azman Ibrahim, from Rosnah as an inducement for appointing Saka Waris as consultant for a proposed lay-by, petrol kiosk and facilities at 26.30km (west) and 29.15km (east) of the Shah Alam Highway.