Five people and six firms freed of money-laundering charges

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has acquitted five individuals and six companies connected to Genneva Malaysia Sdn Bhd over money-laundering charges involving money totalling close to RM12bil.

Datuk Joseph Kow Hock Beng, Datuk Chin Wai Leong, Datin Lee Mei Jen, Datuk Alex Yew Soo Hun, Datin Veronica Tan and companies J Emerald Sdn Bhd, KHB Global Sdn Bhd, Logistic Hartamas Sdn Bhd, CFM Logistics Sdn Bhd, Agensi Pekerjaan AJ Utama Sdn Bhd, and Parcel Post Sdn Bhd, were originally charged under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla).

Kow was also acquitted of abetment charges under Section 25 (1) of the Banking and Financial Act 1989 (Bafia).

Speaking to the media after his acquittal yesterday, Kow said he was grateful for the hard work of counsel Datuk Mohd Haaziq Pillay.

“I went through hell for the past two and a half years,” he said, adding that he felt that justice was served with the judgments received.

Genneva Malaysia and its directors Datuk Tan Liang Keat, Datuk Philip Lim Jit Meng, and Ahmad Khairuddin Illias, general manager Lim Kah Heng, advisors Datuk Ng Poh Weng, Datuk Marcus Yee Yuen Seng and agents Ng Wan Yee, Ng Yee Yaw, Ng Wan Yean, Chiew Soo Ling and Yao Kee Boon were however told to enter their defence for charges under Amla and Bafia.

Also told to enter defence for charges under Amla were companies Success Attitude Sdn Bhd and Ng Advantage Sdn Bhd.

Sessions judge Mat Ghani Abdullah set May 20 for case management and July 28 and 29 for the start of the trial for the individuals and companies.

The individuals and companies faced 1,548 charges under Amla while Genneva Malaysia, Tan, Lim, Ng, Philip Lim, Kow, and Ahmad faced 14 charges under Bafia.

According to Bank Negara Malaysia prosecuting officers Alvin Ong, Hardeep Kaur, and Wan Nur Atiqah Mior Mohd Zain, the total sum of money accepted by Genneva Malaysia through its company account with CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad was close to RM12bil.

The offences were committed between 2011 and 2012.