Shafee to learn fate in RM9.5 million money laundering case

The Kuala Lumpur High Court will decide tomorrow whether to free lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah or order him to enter his defence against charges of money laundering involving RM9.5 million allegedly received from Najib Razak and making false declarations to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin is scheduled to deliver his decision at 9am.

The prosecution closed its case on May 12 after calling eight witnesses in the trial which began on May 21, 2021.

The witnesses included Ambank Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R Uma Devi, CIMB Bank Bukit Tunku branch manager Rosnita Ahmad, former LHDN officer Syed Nasrul Fahmi Syed Mohamad, and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mohamad Farid Jabar.

Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz prosecuted in the case, while Shafee was represented by lawyers Harvinderjit Singh, Farhan Read and Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee.
 
On Sept 13, 2018, Shafee pleaded not guilty to receiving proceeds from unlawful activity via cheques issued by Najib, which were remitted into his CIMB Bank Berhad account.

He allegedly received a cheque for RM4.3 million on Sept 13, 2013, and another for RM5.2 million on Feb 17, 2014.

The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Bhd, Taman Tunku, Bukit Tunku.

Shafee was also charged with two counts of engaging in transactions resulting from illegal activities, namely submitting incorrect tax returns, in violation of Paragraph 113 (1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2013, and Dec 31, 2014. 

He was alleged to have omitted income of RM4.3 million received on Sept 13, 2013, and RM5.2 million received on Feb 17, 2014 from his tax returns.

The money was received through two AmIslamic Bank cheques belonging to Najib and deposited into Shafee's CIMB Bank accounts.

The offences were allegedly committed at LHDN's Jalan Duta branch at Kompleks Pejabat Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim on March 3, 2015 and June 29, 2015.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and carry a fine not exceeding RM5 million, up to five years' jail, or both upon conviction.