Witness statements for Shahrir’s money laundering case ready before trial, says prosecution

 

Shahrir Samad is facing money laundering charges for failing to declare a cheque for RM1 million which he received from former prime minister Najib Razak. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the case of former Felda chairman Shahrir Samad, who is charged with money laundering for failing to declare the RM1 million which he received from Najib Razak, will submit their witness statements to the defence team before the trial begins on April 6, 2022.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Afif Ali said this during case management before High Court Judge Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh today.

Also attending the proceedings was lawyer Syahrul Syazwan Salehin representing Shahrir.

Meanwhile, Syahrul Syazwan informed the court that the defence team had yet to obtain the statement of facts in accordance with Section 51A (1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

He told Bernama that the judge ordered the prosecution to submit the statement of facts before or on Sept 16 and set Feb 8, 2022 for further case management.

Shahrir, 72, is charged with money laundering for not stating his real income in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013, which is a violation under Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967, on the RM1 million, which he received from Najib through a cheque which was then deposited into his bank account.

He is charged with committing the offence at the LHDN office, Duta branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here on April 25, 2014.

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