The Attorney-General’s Chambers clarified that businessperson Liow Soon Hee, better known as Nicky Liow, was not released without any legal action being taken against him.
In a statement today, it said Liow had been charged with 26 counts of money laundering under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The charges were filed at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on April 12, 2022.
It said Liow (above), via his lawyers, then submitted representations dated Dec 15, 2022 and April 6, 2023, seeking to have all 26 charges compounded under Section 92 of the same Act.
After reviewing the representations and the available evidence, the AGC said the prosecution agreed to offer a RM10 million compound, which Liow accepted and paid on May 29, 2023.
"The department stresses that the decision taken was in line with the powers and discretion of the attorney-general under the Federal Constitution and relevant laws.
"It was also implemented in accordance with legal provisions based on evidence from the investigation as a whole without being influenced by external pressure or public sentiment, taking into account the integrity of the prosecution process and the need to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system," the AGC said.
Pressed to disclose
Last week, former Batu PKR chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi pressed the AGC to disclose why the prosecution withdrew its case against Liow.
This came after Liow’s lawyer, Rajpal Singh, confirmed that his client was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) and released on June 15, 2023, after the AGC accepted a representation letter from Liow.
The lawyer added that Liow had also paid the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) almost RM400,000 in outstanding taxes to settle his charges for incorrectly submitting tax return forms under the Income Tax Act 1967.
Liow had pleaded not guilty to all 26 charges, framed under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The businessperson, who was charged in his capacity as a company director, faced up to 15 years in jail and a fine of at least five times the sum obtained from money laundering or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
On July 7, 2022, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged 14 individuals, including two of Liow’s siblings, from charges of being involved in the organised crime group known as “Gang Nicky” five years ago.
A three-judge panel made the unanimous decision after Rajpal informed the court that the AGC had received representations from all appellants to be fully acquitted of the charges, following the High Court’s order for a DNAA.
Liow’s name recently made headlines again after he was pictured wearing a PKR Youth shirt at a fundraiser event alongside PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The businessperson’s lawyer has since affirmed that Liow’s presence at the occasion was based on an open invitation to NGOs, one of which he was a member. - Mkini
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