Ex-Labuan MP to know whether to enter defence on May 30

The decision on whether former Labuan MP Rozman Isli will be called to enter his defence or acquitted on a charge of using his position to obtain an employment contract for Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM), will be known tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

Judge Rozina Ayob is scheduled to announce her decision at 3pm.

If the court's decision is in favour of the prosecution, that there is a prima facie case against Rozman, 59, he will be called to defend himself, otherwise, he will be acquitted and discharged.

On March 6, the prosecution closed its case after calling 24 witnesses to testify in the trial which began on Aug 11 last year.

Among the prosecution witnesses called were former Labuan Port Authority board member Zulkurnain Ayub, former transport ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Chua Kok Ching and LPL development and investment committee secretary Hida Jerman.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Feisal Mohd Azmi prosecuted while counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali represented Rozman.

Rozman was charged as an official of a public body, the deputy chairman of the Labuan Port Authority, to have used his position to obtain gratification, namely an employment contract as the operator for Dermaga Merdeka Pelabuhan Labuan for LLPM, in which his father and younger brother have an interest in.

The offence was allegedly committed at the transport ministry in Putrajaya, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on March 21, 2018.

He was charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act and can be punished under Section 24(1) of the same act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.