Kota Kinabalu: A businessman bearing the title "Datuk", who is serving a five-year jail sentence after admitting to being a member of the "Geng Upik" organised crime group, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court on Tuesday to nine charges of money laundering involving RM821,950.
Maslan Sani, 43, allegedly received proceeds of unlawful activities through cash deposits into two CIMB Islamic bank accounts at various branches in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Lahad Datu between Jan 10, 2016 and April 11, 2018.
The nine charges, brought under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act, carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the unlawful proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Sessions Judge Zaini Fishir @ Fisal fixed Aug 11 for pre-trial case management, while the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul and Wan Ahmad Hakimi Wan Ahmad Jaafar, with Maslan represented by counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah and Mohd Azhier Farhan Arisin.
On June 5, 2025, the High Court sentenced Maslan to five years' imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to being a member and leader of the "Geng Upik" organised crime group between 2015 and Dec 24, 2023, in Kota Kinabalu, an offence under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code.
