Judge Kamarudin Kamsun ruled that Latif, 56; his son Ahmad Fauzan Hatim, 30; and Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 49, did not go against the law in their activities that involved Bumiputera lots in the state.

He said the defence had managed to raise a reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case and thus he was acquitting and discharging all three.

He said it was not an easy decision to come to but the court had considered all the evidence presented.

Latif was charged with 33 counts of corruption and four counts of money laundering on June 14, 2017.

Amir Shariffuddin was also charged with 33 counts of corruption and 13 counts under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities (Amla) Act 2001, while Fauzan was charged with four counts of money laundering.

Among the charges, Latif was accused of having abetted Amir Shariffuddin to convert Bumiputera lots into non-Bumiputera lots.

He was also accused of helping to reduce the quantum of payment that developers had to contribute towards the Johor Housing Fund for converting these lots.

The defence was led by Salehuddin Saidin while Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin headed the prosecution.

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