All You Need To Know About Rafizi Ramli's 30-Month Jail Sentence
He was found guilty for breaching the now defunct Banking and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA).
By Jia Vern Tham — 07 Feb 2018, 07:54 PM
Earlier today, PKR vice-president Mohd Rafizi Ramli was sentenced to 30 months in jail for exposing banking details of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) six years ago
In addition, former Public Bank clerk Johari Mohamad was also found guilty for abetting Rafizi, and sentenced to the same 30-month jail term as him at the Shah Alam Sessions Court today.
Sessions Court judge Zamri Bakar passed the sentence after both accused failed to "cast a reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case".
1. Judge Zamri allowed a stay of execution for both of the accused, and set bail at RM15,000 each
This is to allow their lawyers Ahmad Nizam Hamid and Latheefa Koya to file appeals against the sentences.
Rafizi was represented by Ahmad Nizam, while Latheefa appeared for Johari.
According to Malay Mail Online, Ahmad will apply for a stay today, the soonest possible.
2. Deputy public prosecutor Lailawati Ali wanted the court to impose a higher fine of RM500,000 and a six-month jail term instead
She warned that the public will perceive the offence as "not that serious" if a heavier penalty is not imposed.
In the Malay Mail Online's report, she also said that the heavier sentences proposed are meant to prevent similar offences from happening again regardless of circumstances.
On the other hand, Rafizi told Malay Mail Online that he was relieved that the judge did not impose any fine at all as it would mean he has to try to accumulate the money while being in prison.
3. Although BAFIA was repealed in 2013, Rafizi's charges still stand
Free Malaysia Today reported that Rafizi had tried to file several applications to quash the charges against him under BAFIA and questioned the validity of the law.
The act was replaced with the Financial Services Act in 2013.
4. Rafizi can still campaign for his party for the upcoming GE14, but he may lose the chance to stand in it
He is currently campaigning at 10 parliamentary constituencies every week.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Rafizi will be unable to stand in the coming election if he fails to set aside the 18-month jail sentence from his OSA conviction, together with this BAFIA sentence.
Furthermore, Article 48 of the Federal Constitution disqualifies a person from being an MP for five years if the person has been convicted and sentenced to more than one year in jail, or fined more than RM2,000.