Pic by Hairul Anuar Rahim
JOHOR BARU: Former Johor executive councillor Datuk Abd Latif Bandi, his son Ahmad Fauzan Hatim and a real estate consultant claimed trial to 21 counts of money laundering involving a sum of RM35.8 million at the Johor Baru Sessions Court today.
This is the second set of charges for Latif, 51, after he had previously claimed trial to 33 counts of abetment with another person in receiving bribes on April 19.
The other two people - Fauzan, 25, and real estate consultant Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 44 - were also among those detained in the same Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation in late February this year.
Today's money laundering charges against Latif amounted to RM17.6 million, while Amir and Fauzan were charged for offences involving amounts of RM17.5 million and RM735,000, respectively.
The charges on Latif were four counts under Section 4 (1) and Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001(AMLATFA) and nine counts under Section 4(1)(b) Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.(AMLTFPUA).
Fauzan and Amir each have four charges under AMLTFPUA.
The offences were committed between 2013 to 2016 in various banks in Johor Baru.
Under AMLATFA, the penalty upon conviction is a fine of not more than RM5 million or not more than five years in jail, or both.
Under AMLTFPUA, the penalty shall not be less than five times the amount or not more than RM5 million, whichever is higher and imprisonment for up to 15 years.
The charges were read before Session judge Mohd Fauzi Mohd Nasir.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanifah asked for a RM1 million bail each on Latif and Amir, and a RM500,000 bail to be set for Fauzan.
The court granted bail for Latif at RM500,000, Amir at RM400,000 while Fauzan's bail was fixed at RM200,000.
Representing Latif and Fauzan were a team of lawyers led by head counsel Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican. Amir was represented by lawyer Azrul Zulkifli Stork.
The court fixed July 5 for mention. Fauzi also ordered for the latest case to undergo trial together with Latif's and Amir's previous court charges for abetment involving RM30.3 million in bribes.