KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): Former Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) managing director Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor has been charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in connection with the littoral combat ship (LCS) project.

He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussain on Tuesday (Aug 16).

Ahmad Ramli was charged with the three counts of CBT, in his capacity as the then BNS managing director, under Section 409 of the Penal Code involving the fraudulent approval for payments to three companies amounting to RM21.08 million, without the requisite approval of the company's board.

BNS, an indirect subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd, is controlled by the Armed Forces Fund Board.

The first CBT charge the accused faces involves fraudulently approving a RM13.54 million payment to Setaria Holding Ltd between July 26, 2010 and March 25, 2011.

Meanwhile, the remaining two CBT charges involve the fraudulent approvals for a RM1.36 million payment to JSD Corp Pte Ltd between April 19, 2011 and May 4, 2011, as well as a RM6.18 million payment to Sousmarin Armada Ltd between Oct 28, 2010 and Nov 22, 2010.

The offences were allegedly committed at BNS' headquarters located on the 17th floor of Menara Boustead here.

If convicted, Ahmad Ramli faces a maximum jail sentence of 20 years, whipping and a fine.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Ahmad Akram Gharib asked the court to impose a RM500,000 bail against the accused, with RM200,000 cash collateral to be paid on Tuesday, and the remaining RM300,000 to be paid if he jumps bail.

Ahmad Ramli’s lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden had no qualms about the amount. 

Meanwhile, DPP Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed the court that the accused is to potentially send a letter of representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), and therefore asked the court for time prior to the case’s mention.

Mohd Yusof confirmed this, and informed the court that the defence will send the letter of representation requesting the AGC to review the charges against Ahmad Ramli.

The judge set the RM500,000 bail and cash collateral, and fixed Nov 24 for mention.

Last Thursday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said that it had completed the investigation papers on individuals linked to the RM9.13 billion LCS project, and handed them over to the AGC, with recommendations on what charges to be filed against the individuals.

This came on the heels of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob calling for the anti-graft body to expedite its investigation into the LCS project and have those responsible charged, once enough evidence is obtained.

Back in 2011, BNS received a letter of award from the Ministry of Defence to deliver six LCS as part of its fleet renewal plan.

On Aug 4 this year, the Public Accounts Committee announced the findings of its investigation into the matter. Among other things, it found that even though the Royal Malaysian Navy should have received five ships by this month, no vessels had been delivered yet, despite the Government having spent RM6 billion on the project.

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