Gani, ex-IGP colluded to remove me, says retired cop

Datuk Ramli Yusuff says former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hasan disliked him because he had issued show-cause letters to the former top cop. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 27, 2015.

A retired senior police officer today told the High Court that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hasan conspired to remove him from the force by framing a criminal charge.

Datuk Ramli Yusuff, who retired in 2008 as commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director, said this was because both harboured a deep animosity towards him. 

He said Musa, who was his subordinate from 1994 to 2001, disliked him as he had issued show-cause letters to the former top cop.

"Musa had committed various departmental breaches which resulted in me issuing three show-cause letters," he said in a witness statement.

Ramli said the "Black Eye", the "MAS case" and the "Goh Cheng Poh case" incidents further intensified this animosity.

He was testifying in a RM20 million civil suit filed by lawyer Rosli Dahlan against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, his officers and the government for conspiracy to injure his reputation, assault and false imprisonment.

Rosli also filed a defamation suit against Abu Kassim.

In his statement of claim, Rosli said that Musa’s animosity towards Ramli resulted in the defendants conspiring to destroy his (Rosli) reputation and integrity.

Ramli, who is now a lawyer, and Rosli, became victims of Gani and Musa because the latter had once assisted him in preparing affidavits in response to a habeas corpus application filed by Goh.

Underworld kingpin Goh, or better known as Tengku Goh from Johor was detained by police for his alleged involvement in gambling and money laundering.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers refused to prepare affidavits for me and my officers to oppose Goh's application. Instead, I was given a short notice to get ready with the documents," added Ramli.

He said Rosli and another lawyer C. Vijaya Kumar assisted him in preparing five affidavits to be handed over to the AGC.

Ramli said in the black eye incident, then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was sacked from office in 1998, was assaulted by then IGP Tan Sri Rahim Noor while under detention.

He said he was then asked by Musa, then deputy director of the CID (legal and prosecution) to fabricate evidence.

"Musa said he was sent by then then A-G Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah and Gani and asked me to lodge a report against Anwar.

"He (Musa) also asked for a doctor to be arranged to show that Anwar had self-inflicted the injuries," he added.

Ramli said he declined and revealed to Musa that Gani was in Bukit Aman the night Anwar was assaulted.

"Because of the position I took, I was seen as disloyal to Musa and Gani.”

Gani was made A-G in 2002 while Musa was appointed to his position in 2006 and retired in 2010.

Ramli said Musa in 1998 should be reporting to him but he bypassed police protocols and dealt directly with Gani.

In the MAS case, Ramli said he was instructed by then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to reopen the matter.

"Gani was displeased with me reopening the case and recommending a prosecution.”

Ramli said the commercial crimes division found there was ample evidence to frame charges against former MAS chief Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli although police and the prosecution had earlier closed the file.

He said he earned the displeasure of Gani because he was seen as undermining the A-G who had recommended that no action be taken in relation to the case.

Ramli added that Musa and Gani were also unhappy with him for investigating Goh but he had to do because the issue illegal money lenders was becoming a national concern following reports of violence and intimidation to the public.

He said Goh was later sent for restricted residence in 2007 following an order signed by then deputy home minister Datuk Johari Baharum.

Ramli said Goh, who filed a habeas corpus application, made several allegations which implicated Musa and Gani had cleared him of any wrongdoing.

He said he later learnt that Musa had handed over a classified file of Goh to Gani to which he (Ramli) was also not privy.

Ramli said Gani and Musa obtained a statement from a criminal, Moo Sai Chin, which led the MACC to issue a notice to declare his assets and later charge him with corruption.

On March 12, 2009, Ramli was acquitted by a Sessions Court of three counts of failing to disclose information on the ownership of shares in Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Permaju Industries Bhd and two office lots worth RM1.032 million.

On July 27, 2008, the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court also freed him of a charge of abusing his powers in 2007 for allegedly using a police Cessna plane for private use.

Hearing before judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam continues.

- TMI