KUALA LUMPUR – The Sessions Court today 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, in connection with three charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM21.08 million related to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project.
Judge Suzana Hussin made the ruling after allowing an application from Ahmad Ramli’s lawyer, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, for his client to be discharged without bail due to his medical condition, Bernama reported.
The court was informed that a psychiatrist from Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) had assessed the 81-year-old, who is also a former navy commander, and found him unfit to stand trial.
“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 during the case mention.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat told the court that the prosecution had rejected a representation submitted by Ahmad Ramli on January 10, and was prepared to proceed with the trial.
However, Mohd Yusof noted that the court had been informed on December 5 last year of a medical report from HKL, which found his client unfit to stand trial as he was unable to defend himself.
Mahadi said the prosecution acknowledged the findings and left the matter to the court’s discretion.
Ahmad Ramli was charged on August 16, 2022 in his capacity as BNS managing director with committing CBT by approving a payment of RM13,541,140 to Syarikat Setaria Holding Limited’s account at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore, without the approval of the BNS Board of Directors.
The offence was allegedly committed at BNS’s office on the 17th floor of Menara Boustead, Kuala Lumpur, between July 26, 2010 and March 25, 2011.
On the second charge, he was accused of approving a payment of RM1,360,716 to JSD Corporation’s account at the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) in Singapore, also without board approval, between April 19, 2011 and May 4, 2011.
The third charge alleged that he authorised a payment of RM6,182,295 to Syarikat Sousmarin Armada Ltd’s account at Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore, without board approval, between October 28, 2010 and November 22, 2010.
The charges were framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, whipping, and a fine upon conviction. – March 12, 2025