Govt seeks to forfeit RM1 mil from MonSpace, 9 others

 

MonSpace had promoted pyramid schemes and conducted direct sales without a licence, and was fined RM9 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

PETALING JAYA: The government is seeking to forfeit almost RM1 million in various bank accounts belonging to e-commerce company MonSpace (M) Sdn Bhd, its owner, seven other firms as well as another individual.

The forfeiture bid is being done under Section 55 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA), on allegations that RM998,819.46 came from unlawful activities.

In a gazette, published on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website today, the government is calling on interested third parties to stake their claim on the money by showing reasons why it should not be forfeited.

“The said money was the subject matter in charges brought against owner Jessy Lai and company director Chai Ling Mooi under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLA,” the gazette said.

Previously, Lai and Chai jointly claimed trial to three counts of money laundering involving an unspecified amount, where they were accused of using three different accounts of the company to launder money.

Lawyer Andy Yong, appearing for Lai and Chai, said the three charges were withdrawn after MonSpace, through company representative Ooi Choon Hoi, pleaded guilty to the three predicate charges under the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme Act and AMLA last month.

MonSpace had promoted pyramid scheme businesses and conducted direct sales without a licence, and was fined RM9 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

The court has set Nov 10 as the mention date for third parties to appear in the forfeiture proceedings.

Yong said three companies, namely MonSpace City Sdn Bhd, Ines Maison Capital Sdn Bhd and MS New Symphony Exercise Clinical Sdn Bhd, were objecting to the government’s forfeiture application.

“However, I have yet to receive instructions from Lai on this forfeiture,” he said.

Apart from Lai, MonSpace and the three companies, those named in the forfeiture application are MonSpace Media Entertainment Sdn Bhd, Monspace Sky Communication Sdn Bhd, Monspacemall Sdn Bhd, Monspace Mega Mall Sdn Bhd, Pertanian M&S (M) Sdn Bhd, YS Mobile Sdn Bhd and Liew Kon Sang. - FMT