KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has acquitted Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan of his two criminal charges involving money laundering and giving false statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
High Court judge Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh made the order of a discharge and acquittal here on Wednesday (Sept 29) after the court was informed that the prosecution was withdrawing its case against the Pontian MP.
According to a media statement issued by law firm Messrs Shahrul Hamidi & Haziq, Ahmad had paid RM1.1mil compound as agreed by the prosecution and the defence.
“This settlement does not tantamount to a guilty plea.
“It was done according to the law and has gone through a transparent process,” it said.
The trial was initially fixed for hearing in June next year.
Ahmad was accused of violating Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2mil he received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013.
He is alleged to have received the money, believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, via a check from AmIslamic Bank Berhad dated November 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.
The offence was allegedly committed at the IRB, 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 charge was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room, at the Parliament building 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.
