Former MIC veep claims trial to 2 charges
JOHOR BARU: Former MIC vicepresident Tan Sri S. Balakrishnan pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here yesterday to two counts of money laundering, involving transactions worth RM6.012 million, between 2012 and 2013.
On the first count, Balakrishnan, as a representative of Sinniyah & Sons Sdn Bhd, was alleged to be involved in money laundering activities by making withdrawal transactions for RM6.012 million, believed to be proceeds from illegal activities, from the company’s bank account at Affin Bank Berhad.
The second charge, involving the same offence and for the same amount, was made in his capacity as a director of Sinniyah & Sons Sdn Bhd.
Both offences were committed at Affin Bank Berhad in Jalan Kebun Teh here between June 12, 2012 and Sept 5, 2013.
The charges were made under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001, read with Section 87(1) of the same law.
Balakrishnan, who was MIC vice-president from 2013 until 2015, faced a fine of not more than RM5 million or imprisonment of up to five years, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Khazrin Hafiz Khalil prosecuted, while lawyers Datuk V. Manukaran and N. Yuhendra represented Balakrishnan.
Judge Jailani Rahman allowed the prosecution’s request for the case to be transferred for hearing at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where Balakrishnan had another case, which had been set for trial this Sept 3.
The case involved false claims of nearly RM13 million allegedly made by Balakrishnan in connection with the Sungai Melaka beautification and restoration project in 2013.