KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court will decide if former Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor is fit to stand trial for corruption on Aug 15.
Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin fixed the date for Ramli to appear in court after the former Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) failed to attend today's hearing due to health issues.
Ramli is accused of approving payments of over RM21 million to three Singaporean companies without the approval of BNS' board of directors in connection to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project scandal.
If found guilty of the offence under 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent, he faces up to 20 years in prison, whipping and a fine.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim informed the court of the High Court's decision last week to dismiss Ramli's application to quash all his criminal charges.
Nik Haslinie said the prosecution has yet to receive the High Court's written judgment on its decision.
"I believe the High Court's directive is for this court to investigate the accused's health condition," she said.
However, this could not be determined as Ramli was absent.
The accused's lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden said that since his client's attendance was excused today, the defence requested a new mention date to receive further updates on the High Court's directive.
"At the same time, we will try to obtain the latest mental health report and I believe the court will require my client's presence on the next mention date.
"We will make every effort to ensure he attends," said Mohd Yusof.
On July 26, High Court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid dismissed Ramli's bid to strike out all of his corruption charges on grounds that the issue of the 80-year-old accused's mental fitness to stand trial should be investigated by the trial judge.
"The application is to be dismissed for the trial court (Sessions Court) to conduct an assessment of the applicant's (Ramli) mental fitness," he said.
Ramli applied because he was confirmed to be experiencing dementia.
Ramli's daughter Rinnie Nor Ahmad Ramli in her supporting affidavit said a medical examination had confirmed her father has a progressive neurodegenerative condition similar to moderate mixed dementia.
Previously, the Public Accounts Committee found there were discrepancies and delays in the construction of six littoral combat ships since 2017.
Several high-profile people were alleged to have played a role in siphoning and abusing their power in the purchase dealings of these ships.