Ahmad Maslan fails in third bid to have charges dropped over RM2 million from Najib

Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan has failed for the third time in his attempt to get the court to drop the charges against him for failing to declare RM2 million received from Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Noor Hafizan Zakaria told the court that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had rejected Ahmad’s third representation during case management before Sessions Court judge Ahmad Kamar Jamaludin.

“The prosecution submitted a representation for the third time and it was briefed to the Attorney-General (Idrus Harun) and rejected on Oct 5,” she said.

During the proceeding, the prosecution also requested that a new trial date be set as the deputy public prosecutor and the investigating officer in the case have been quarantined due to close contact with Covid-19 patients.

Kamar then set July 5 to 8, 12 to 15 and 26 to 29 next year to hear the case.

Ahmad, 54, was alleged to have violated Section 113 (1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from former prime minister Najib in his income tax return form for assessment year 2013.

The offence was allegedly committed at LHDN’s Duta branch at 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 for a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.

The other charge was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room in the Parliament building between 2.45pm and 3.30pm 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 for a maximum fine of RM3 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.