IN November 2017, the Court of Appeal acquitted me of criminal charges. It was a big relief for me and my family.
We had to go through turmoil for almost nine years from the Sessions Court to High Court and finally to the Court of Appeal.
After the court’s verdict, I thought I could move on with life. However, it was not so simple.
In August last year, when I went to RHB Bank to open a current account, I was told that I could not do so as my name had been blacklisted.
I was also unable to obtain a hire purchase loan for a new car from other banks. I later found out that this was due to the criminal charges.
To my dismay, after nine months of the court judgment, the prosecution team or the department responsible (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) had failed to delist my name from the record of persons with criminal charges.
I wrote to MACC, but received no response. I then sent an email to the Bukit Aman police headquarters for assistance.
To my surprise, I received a call from an officer named DSP Zuraidah Samsudin from Pusat Pendaftaran Penjenayah of Bukit Aman the very next day.
She told me that she would try to help address my problem despite the fact that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of MACC as the commission was the one that initiated the charges.
She contacted MACC and followed up on my behalf.
She was friendly and committed to her job as she would constantly call or text me to find out if MACC staff had communicated with me or taken any step to remove my name from their list.
In January, I spoke with the investigating officer of MACC and within the same month, I could open a bank account with CIMB without restrictions.
I was fortunate that DSP Zuraidah assisted me. I wonder how many people out there are still having problems even after clearing their legal cases.
My thanks to DSP Zuraidah for her commitment to her job. I hope others will emulate her dedication.
B.S. CHUA
Penang