SHAH ALAM: Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been slapped with another money laundering charge in relation to the Jana Wibawa initiative.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before sessions court judge Rozilah Salleh this morning.
Muhyiddin was charged with receiving RM5 million in funds from illegal activities from a company at AmBank’s Amcorp Mall branch on Jan 7, 2022, which was channelled into Bersatu’s account.
The charge was framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), which provides for up to 15 years’ jail and a minimum fine of RM5 million, upon conviction.
The section refers to the offence of “acquiring, receiving, possessing, disguising, transferring, converting, exchanging, carrying, disposing or using the proceeds of an unlawful activity”.
This is the seventh charge brought against Muhyiddin. On Friday, the Pagoh MP claimed trial to four charges of soliciting bribes amounting to RM232.5 million and two counts of money laundering involving RM195 million.
Rozilah allowed the defence’s application to transfer this case to the Kuala Lumpur sessions court and for no additional bail to be imposed.
Deputy public prosecutors Ahmad Akram Gharib, Fadhly Zamry, Zander Lim Wai Keong, A Kalaivani and Maziah Mohaide prosecuted.
Muhyiddin was represented by K Kumaraendran, Chetan Jethwani, Dev Kumaraendran, Amiratu Al Amirat Saleh Garbaa, Isa Basir, Shahir Ab Razak, Teh See Khoon, Varsha Chelvi and Raja Syuhada Raja Khairuddin.
The judge set May 26 for the mention of the case.
