Lawyer Muhammad Shafee’s case transferred to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR: The money laundering case involving lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah will be heard by the High Court.

This followed a decision by Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah in allowing Muhammad Shafee’s application to transfer the case from the Sessions Court to the High Court and there was no objection from the prosecution.

Earlier, the prosecution, conducted by deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, told the court that the prosecution had no objection to Muhammad Shafee’s application to transfer the case to the High Court.

Muhammad Shafee, 66, represented by lawyer Harvinderjit Singh, was present in court yesterday.

He had submitted the application for the transfer last Sept 24.

Last Sept 13, Muhammad Shafee, 66, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two charges with receiving proceeds from illegal activities, each amounting to RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million, via two AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheques belonging to Mohd Najib Hj Abd Razak which were credited into his two CIMB Bank Berhad.

He was alleged to have committed both offences at the CIMB Bank Berhad, J2 & K1, Taman Tunku, Bukit Tunku near here on Sept 13 2013 and Feb 17 2014.

Both charges were filed under Section 4(1)( a) of the Anti- Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act ( AMLATFA) 2001 which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment not exceeding five years or both upon conviction.

Muhammad Shafee also pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Tax Act 1967 with being involved directly in transactions involving proceeds from illegal activities, namely by making an incorrect tax return , and breaching Paragraph 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for the Financial Year ending Dec 31, 2013 and Dec 31, 2014.

For the charge, he is accused of leaving out income received on Sept 13, 2013 amounting to RM4.3 million and income received on Feb 17, 2014 amounting to RM5.2 million via two AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheques belonging to Mohd Najib Hj Abd Razak which were credited into his two CIMB Bank Berhad.

Both the offences were allegedly committed at the Inland Revenue Board, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, here on March 3, 2015 and June 29, 2015. — Bernama