BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PROSECUTION yesterday withdrew the corruption charges against former head of Special Investigation Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in light of the defendant’s detention order under the Internal Security Act.

In her application before the Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Hjh Anifa Rafiza Hj Ghani entered a Nolle Prosequi as a result of a Detention Order that was issued against Superintendent Hj Khairur Rijal Hj Abu Salim, 38, for a period of 24 months which came into effect on April 4.

Nolle Prosequi is a procedure under the Criminal Procedure Code which can be issued by the Public Prosecutor stating that in any criminal case before judgement, the Public Prosecutor can inform the Court that the proceedings should be halted.

A Nolle Prosequi however does not amount to an acquittal.

Following the application, the presiding Chief Magistrate Muhammed Faisal PDJLD DSP Hj Kefli discharged the defendant not amounting to an acquittal.

Defence counsel Roy Prabhakaran of Yusof Halim and Partners appeared on behalf of the defendant who was absent during the proceedings yesterday.

Supt Hj Khairur Rijal was first brought to court on March 12 and he was charged with accepting gratification in the form a car, a Toyota Hilux, from Malaysian national Liew Say Koo, managing director of Say Koo (Liew) Sdn Bhd and L&E Contractor.

The court document states that the alleged gratification accepted by the defendant was an inducement or reward for assisting Liew, who had been previously expelled from Brunei and a prohibited immigrant as of November 17, 2007, to repeatedly enter and exit Brunei between 2011 and 2013.

It went on to state that the defendant allegedly rendered his assistance by making application on behalf of the commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force or the director of CID to the Controller of Immigration and National Registration Department stating that Liew was needed to assist in police investigations.

Liew has a previous conviction for causing the death of his 26-year-old wife in 2006. In 2007, the High Court sentenced Liew to serve two years in jail after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Supt Khairur Rijal was also charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code which forbids public servants from receiving valuable materials while in the line of duty.

The defendant was accused of obtaining himself a Toyota Hilux without consideration or for a consideration which he knew to be inadequate from Liew, whom he knew to have a connection with the official functions of himself.

The charges were read to the defendant but no pleas were entered.

On April 4, the Internal Security Department (ISD or KDN) released a statement through the state television broadcast confirming Supt Hj Khairur Rijal’s detention after the department deemed him as a threat to public order and national security.

Investigation by the ISD revealed that Supt Hj Khairur Rijal was involved in various illegal activities namely in abetting and protecting criminals and leaking information on police operations to criminals and gangsters.

The ISD stated that Superintendent Hj Khairur Rijal had planned to use his position of power and influence as a law enforcement officer to control and determine the direction and extent of criminal activities in the country.

The Brunei Times