KUALA LUMPUR 13 Sept: Prominent lawyer representing Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case,Tan Sri Dr. Muhammad Shafee Abdullah pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today on four charges and two of which involving payment RM9.5 million from the former Prime Minister about five years ago.
Muhammad Shafee pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 involving RM4.3 mil and RM5.2 mil received from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on September 13, 2013 and February 17 2014.
Under this legal provision, a person if found guilty could be jailed for 15 years and fined five times the amount of illegal activities or RM5 million whichever is higher.
Muhammad Shafee also pleaded not guilty to two charges of making incorrect returns by omitting or understating any income under the Income Tax Act at The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, Jalan Duta, on March 3, 2015 and 29 June 2015.
Meanwhile Deputy Public Prosecutor, Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram who led the prosecution requested the Court not to give special attention to the accused.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram on the other hand protested on any bail but if the Court insisted then he suggested a bail amounting RM2.5 million with one surety.
“The accused is a busy person and in one incident his case (representing) was mentioned in the Court but the accused being a lawyer was not present. As such the Court has to grant him a high personal bond to ensure his presence in the Court,” Ahmad Akram said.
The Court then allowed a bail of RM1 million with two sureties and his international passport was handed to the Court. The Court then fixed RM500,000 to be paid today and the remainder on September 18. All documents are to be handed to the Court on October 2, 2018.
Muhammad Shafee’s case will be mentioned again on October 2. –Malaysia World News
