Hearing for Ahmad Maslan's application to strike out charges postponed to June 12

Hearing for Ahmad Maslan’s application to strike out charges postponed to June 12

by BERNAMA / pic by BERNAMA

The Sessions Court here has set June 12 to hear Pontian Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s application to strike out the money laundering and false statement charges that were framed against him.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Noor Hafizan Zakaria informed Bernama the date via Whatsapp message.

This is the second adjournment made by the court following the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from April 15 till April 28, by the government.

The court had previously adjourned the application’s hearing to tomorrow (April 15) and also for the case management, due to the second phase of the nationwide MCO from March 18 till April 14, to curb the spread of COVID-19.

On the first charge, Ahmad was accused of money laundering by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013, and in doing so, had violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

The former deputy finance minister was alleged to have received the money from Najib, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, through an AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheque dated Nov 27, 2013, which he (Ahmad) personally cashed on the same day.

The offence was allegedly committed at the IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.

The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

On the second charge, Ahmad was accused of giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission when questioned by MACC investigating officer, Principal Senior Assistant Superintendent Mohd Zairi Zainal, over the issue at the media conference room, Parliament Building, Jalan Parlimen here, between 2.45 pm and 3.30 pm on July 4, 2019.

The charge, framed under Section 32(8)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM3 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.