Alvin Goh and brother charged in court

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Alvin Goh, who fled the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters by climbing over a fence recently, has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to seven counts of receiving a total of RM2.14mil, allegedly proceeds from illegal activities.

The 32-year-old Goh, whose birth name is Goh Leong Yeong, along with his brother Goh Yeong Hui, 28, pleaded not guilty after all the charges were read out before Sessions Court judge Sabariah Othman here yesterday.

According to the charges, both of them, as directors of Malaysia House of Internet Sdn Bhd, had allegedly received a total of RM2.14mil from two Chinese nationals through a Public Bank account belonging to the company.

The offences were allegedly committed at Public Bank Bhd, Jalan Bukit Bintang here, between Sept 9 and Nov 7,2019.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceed of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The brothers will face a maximum 15-year jail term and a minimum fine of five times the amount of money involved or RM5mil, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

Earlier, DPP Lee Keng Fatt proposed a bail of RM300,000 for each of the accused for all the charges.

He said the amount was reasonable as the men were charged with serious offences and Alvin was a flight risk as he had a record of fleeing the authorities.

“The prosecution hopes the court would take judicial notice on this as the incident was reported in the media, ” he said, adding that it took weeks for Alvin to be rearrested.

Lawyer Jacky Loi, who is representing the brothers, however asked for a lower amount.

He said Alvin was currently serving a two-year detention under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca).

The court fixed bail at RM200,000 in one surety each. The case is set for mention on May 24.