The first three trial dates for former Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa’s criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering case involving nearly RM4 million have been taken off.
The Shah Alam Sessions Court today has vacated the trial dates on Aug 26 and 28, and Sept 7. The Sept 7 session has been converted into a mention date to update on the outcome of the accused’s letter of representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Nasharudin’s defence counsel, Mohd Shukri Ahmad Mansor confirmed to Malaysiakini on the outcome of the case mention before judge Rozilah Salleh earlier today.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that Nasharudin had sent a letter of representation to the AGC over the case.
Under the law, an accused may send a letter of representation to try to resolve a criminal case, such as by dropping the charges, or for the accused to plead guilty to a lesser charge, among others.
Shukri today said the Sessions Court had converted the Sept 7 trial date into a mention date to update it on the AGC’s decision on the letter.
“The letter of representation is still pending a decision. So the (Sessions) Court vacated the Aug 26 and 28 (trial dates) to await the decision by the prosecution.
“It also fixed Sept 7 as the date of mention for the decision on the letter of representation,” he said.
“If the letter of representation is rejected (by AGC), then the trial will proceed on Sept 8,” the lawyer said.
Previously, it was reported that the Sessions Court had set the trial dates on Aug 26 and 28; Sept 7 to 11; Sept 28 and 30; Oct 1 and 2; Oct 5 to 9; and Oct 13.
Checks on the online cause list at ecourtservices.kehakiman.gov.my showed that the previous trial dates for Nasharudin’s case of Aug 26 and 28 had been taken off the list.
The online cause list also showed that the matter is still fixed for mention before the lower court on Sept 7.
On Oct 22 last year at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, Nasharudin claimed trial to three counts of money laundering and 30 counts of CBT amounting to nearly RM4 million.
Nasharudin was charged with three counts of indirect involvement in money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (Amla) Act 2001.
He was accused of channelling the proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM302,069.60 to three recipients through a bank account belonging to his company, Wasatiyah Centre For Peace Sdn Bhd.
The funds were allegedly Finance Ministry allocations meant for the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The three Amla offences allegedly took place in November and December 2018, about four months after then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ordered an end to GMM’s operations.
Nasharudin was GMM chief executive officer (CEO) on Oct 28, 2015, until July 31, 2018.
The 30 CBT charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code, meanwhile, allegedly took place between 2015 and 2018, involving RM3,721,683.80 in funds linked to Nasharudin's position as the chairperson of Nassar Foundation and GMM CEO.
Entrusted with managing assets belonging to Nassar Foundation, Nasharudin was accused of, among others, dishonestly making payments of RM51,000 on Aug 22, 2016, as catering fees for his son's wedding reception; dishonestly making payments of RM25,756 on Feb 1, 2018, to a local private college for his son's tuition fees; and to offer an RM34,000 loan to his daughter.
He was also accused of dishonestly accepting RM321,274 as salary for being Nassar Foundation's chairperson between 2015 and 2018.
He had also allegedly used over half a million ringgit of the foundation funds to purchase several shop lot units in Bandar Baru Bangi.
The former Bachok MP was also accused of channelling RM2.6 million in research grants from GMM to Wasatiyah Centre for Peace. - Mkini
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