Latif, 51, his son Ahmad Fauzan Hatim, and Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub had claimed trial to 37 corruption charges — 33 under Section 28(1)(C) of the MACC Act 2009 and four charges under Section 32(8)(c) and Section 89 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) 2001 —involving over RM30 million.

The trio were seen hugging family members outside the court after they were freed.

Sessions Court judge Kamarudin Kamsun said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.

The charges were related to alleged bribery in connection with the release of Bumiputera-reserved housing lots to the public and the contribution amount to the Johor state housing fund for the Eco Botanic Project in Pulai.

News reports said the prosecution had called 63 witnesses and more than 1,071 exhibits were tendered during the 40-day trial.

In April 2017, Latif resigned as the state housing and local government committee chairman, a post he had held since May 2013, after being charged with corruption.

He had earlier taken leave from the position following investigations on his son and a special officer who were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged corruption offences.