Why was Ahmad Maslan freed of false statement charge, asks Amanah man

 

Hanipa Maidin wants to know why Ahmad Maslan was freed of the charge of giving false statements.

PETALING JAYA: Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin has demanded to know why Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on the charge of giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Stating that this has brought MACC’s independence into question, Hanipa also called for Attorney-General Idrus Harun to resign “if he had any integrity”.

Ahmad, who is also Umno secretary-general, was acquitted yesterday on charges of money laundering and giving false statements to MACC. He had earlier claimed trial to charges of failing to declare some RM2 million allegedly received from former prime minister Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

“I don’t want to question that (withdrawal of the money laundering charge). That’s the Attorney-General’s prerogative. I can respect that,” Hanipa told the Dewan Rakyat.

“But I want to ask why he (Ahmad) was freed of the charge of giving false statements?

“If MACC really wants to protect its integrity as an independent body and one that cannot be fooled by any party, the charge (of giving false statements) should not have been withdrawn,” the Amanah MP said.

“How can an agency like MACC, which is investigating a politician, suddenly be fooled by the politician, resulting in a charge being withdrawn?

“Don’t tell me MACC is only worth RM1.1 million? That’s embarrassing.”

According to a statement issued by his legal team yesterday, Ahmad paid a RM1.1 million compound as agreed by the prosecution and the defence.

Ahmad was alleged to have violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2 million allegedly received from Najib in the income tax return form for the year of assessment 2013.

He was alleged to have received the money, believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, through a cheque from AmIslamic Bank Bhd dated Nov 27, 2013, which he personally cashed the same day.

The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

Ahmad was also accused of giving false statements to MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal at the media conference room of the Parliament building between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.

The charge, framed under Section 32(8)(c) of Amla, provides for a maximum fine of RM3 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty. - FMT