Businessman pleads not guilty to money laundering

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Youth chief Datuk Lee Kim Hock, 35, was charged at the Sessions Court here with two counts of money laundering totalling more than RM5,000.

Lee pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.

The businessman was charged with disposing of RM1,300, being proceeds from illegal activity, through a cheque to Chan Kin Siong, 43, at RHB Bank, 18 and 20 Jalan Midah Satu, Taman Midah, on Feb 4, 2016.

He was also accused of a similar offence involving RM4,000, which he allegedly committed at the same place and time.

The offence falls under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities 2001, which carries a maximum punishment of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount involved, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

Deputy public prosecutor Idamasliza Maarof asked the court to use the RM7,000 bail that was granted to him by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court.

She asked for the court to transfer the case to Petaling Jaya as both cases involved the same witnesses and documents.

The accused was charged at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court for a criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code on Oct 3.

Lawyer Manjit Singh, who represented the accused, did not object.

The court allowed the requests and fixed Nov 7 for mention.