There were witnesses to RM1m paid by Najib to Shahrir - prosecution

 

The prosecution will call witnesses and tender documents to show former Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad allegedly failed to report to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) that he received RM1 million from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court heard this from the prosecution’s opening statement read out by deputy public prosecutor Afif Ali on the first day of the money laundering trial against Shahrir today.

Afif contended that the accused did not report receiving the RM1 million to the IRB in 2013.

“There are oral testimonies from prosecution witnesses and documentary testimonies to prove that the accused obtained income of RM1 million - that was deposited in Public Bank Islamic account number 3810549101 owned by the accused - from Najib Abdul Razak via an AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheque dated Nov 27, 2013 with check number 000089.

“There is also evidence that the accused did not report the actual income via Income Tax Filing for the assessment year 2013 and this proved that the accused was involved directly in transactions involving proceeds from unlawful activity,” Afif contended before trial judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin.

Shahrir (above) is on trial over a charge of failing to declare the RM1 million as income.

Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad allegedly failed to report to the Inland Revenue Board he received RM1 million from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak (pictured).

The trial is set for today until Thursday this week, as well as Aug 8-11, Sept 5-8, and Oct 3-6.

Deputy public prosecutors Afif, Rasyidah Murni Azmi, and Natrah Fareha Rahmat appeared for the prosecution while the defence team was led by counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin.

The prosecution previously informed the court that it would call 19 witnesses.

Shahrir, 72, was initially charged at the sessions court. However, he successfully applied for his case to be transferred to the High Court.

He was accused of committing money laundering by not declaring to the IRB the RM1 million payment as part of his real income in the income tax return for 2013.

The money, alleged to be from unlawful activities, was allegedly received from Najib through a cheque, according to the charge.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of jail time up to five years or a fine of up to RM5 million, or both, upon conviction. - Mkini