KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic) failed for the third time in his attempt to get the court to drop the charges against him for failing to declare RM2mil received from Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
This followed a decision by the Attorney General’s Chamber (AGC) in rejecting the third representation submitted by Ahmad in relation to the two charges made against him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Noor Hafizan Zakaria informed the court on the AGC’s decision during the case management before Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Kamar Jamaludin.
“The prosecution had submitted a representation for the third time and it was briefed to the Attorney General (Tan Sri Idrus Harun) and was 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 are in quarantined for having close contact with Covi-19 patients.
Following which, Kamar set July 5 to 8; 12 to 15 and 26 to 29 next year to hear the case.
On the charge of money laundering, 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 RM2mil he received from Najib in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013.
The offence was allegedly committed at the LHDN office, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, 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 a maximum fine of RM5mil, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.
The other was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by MACC investigating officer, Principal Senior Asst Supt Mohd Zairi Zainal, over the issue at the media conference room, Parliament Building, Jalan Parlimen here, 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 a maximum fine of RM3mil, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty. – THE STAR