I am no longer part of the 'court cluster', says Ahmad Maslan

PONTIAN: Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said he is no longer part of the "court cluster" after he was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The Pontian MP said that he felt like a man who had just gained his freedom after the lengthy court battle.

"With the decision, my name in the 'court cluster' has been erased," he said after visiting the vaccination centre at Dewan Serbaguna Benut here on Saturday (Oct 2).

The "court cluster" label was used to reference several Umno leaders facing graft charges in court, which included Ahmad as well as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad said that he was offered a compound in October 2019 as part of his settlement but he decided to fight the matter in court as the amount was too high.

He added that the compound amount at the time was 25 times and 50 times of the amount he and other individuals received.

"I am happy that I have been freed and acquitted despite paying the compound amount but as I had said before in the Dewan Rakyat, the government should expedite the Political Donations and Expenditure Act.

"It is not an offence for a political party, no matter if they are the ruling government or Opposition, to receive political funding, which I did in 2013," he added.

He expressed his hope that there would be justice for 29 others who were still battling their respective cases in court as the compound amount was too high.

When asked if the court decision would help him gain support for the deputy speaker post, Ahmad said he would need some time to re-evaluate.

"I can refile my nomination on Oct 10 as I have about 14 days before the next Parliament sitting, which is on Oct 25," he added.

On Thursday (Sept 30), the High Court acquitted Ahmad of his two criminal charges involving money laundering and giving a false statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh made the order of a discharge and acquittal after the court was informed that the prosecution was withdrawing its case against him.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar informed the court that Ahmad had paid a RM1.1mil compound.

On Jan 21, 2020, Ahmad was accused of violating Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2mil he received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013.

He allegedly received the money, believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, via a cheque from AmIslamic Bank Berhad dated Nov 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Inland Revenue Board Duta Branch, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.

The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, provides a maximum fine of RM5mil, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

The other charge was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room at the Parliament building between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.

The charge, framed under Section 32(8)(c) of the same Act, provides a maximum fine of RM3mil, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.