Friday, 17 August 2007

Dr Hasbullah acquitted of graft charge


Retired Sabah Education director Datuk Dr Hasbullah Taha, 62, was today discharged and acquitted of a corruption of which he was charged while he was the Sabah Special Affairs Department of the Information Ministry.

In discharging and acquitting Dr Hasbullah without calling for his defence, Sessions Court Judge Ravintharan Paramaguru said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the former director.

Dr Hasbullah was defended by Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Ansari Abdullah and daughter Erveana.

He was charged with abetting his former senior field assistant Maratah Gitom, 51, in submitting a false claim of RM12,800 to the Federal Treasury in 2003 for an offical function which had never been organised.

Judge Ravntharan, however, called Maratah to enter defence. Maratah is being defended by Datuk James Ghani and son Dominic.

My Say:

Now Dr Hasbullah, a darling of the State Education employees, particularly teachers, can now really retired without the corruption charges hanging over him. His `offence' as adduced during the trial was just signing the claim forms prepared by Maratah.

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