High Court frees duo from match-fixing charge
G. Prem Kumar (second from left) with his lawyers Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent (right) and Carmen Eu Kah Mun (left) and Khairul Anuar Baharum after their acquittal.
SEREMBAN: Two individuals, including a former national footballer, were freed by the High Court here for allegedly fixing a Malaysia Premier League match more than five years ago.
Judge Rohani Ismail allowed an appeal from Khairul Anuar Baharum, 48 and G. Prem Kumar, 54 and set aside a decision by the Sessions Court in August 2020 which found them guilty of offering RM10,000 each to MISC-MIFA goalkeepers S. Harivarman and Khairul Izzuwan Shaari.
“After perusing the evidence before the court, I hereby allow the appeals of the first and second accused.
“The decision of the Sessions Court is hereby set aside,” she said.
The Sessions Court had sentenced the duo to serve three years in jail and a fine of RM100,000 each.
They had claimed trial when first charged in April 2017.
The offer to the two goalkeepers was an inducement to ensure their team lost 0-2 to Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak.
Both accused allegedly committed the offence between 9pm and 10pm at the Senawang Light Industrial Area on March 27, 2017.
They were charged under section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
The court also ordered that the RM50,000 fine and bail money paid by the duo be returned to them.
Khairul Anuar was represented by Ridha Abdah Subri while Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent and Carmen Eu Kah Mun appeared for Prem.
Mohamad Azriff Firdaus Mohamad Ali represented the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
When met outside the court, the duo expressed relief that the case was finally over.
Khairul Anuar said the past six years had been a difficult time as he could not meet anyone with the charge hanging over his head.
“It was also embarrassing at times but I am grateful to the Almighty for finally being acquitted today,” said Khairul Anuar.