KUALA LUMPUR: Prominent businessman Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed of Maju Group has been charged at the Sessions Court here with four counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) amounting to RM313mil linked to a proposed highway project.
The 74-year-old was also slapped with 13 counts of money laundering amounting to RM139mil, monies believed to be proceeds from illegal activities.
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Abu Sahid, who sat in a wheelchair in the courtroom outside the dock, said he understood the charges and pleaded not guilty.
"Faham. Tidak bersalah (I understand. Not guilty)," the businessman said as the charges were read out to him by the court interpreter here on Monday (Sept 8).
The proposed highway project was known as MEX II, a highway that should have linked Putrajaya to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
According to the first to the fourth charge sheets, Abu Sahid, who was charged in his capacity as a director of Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd, allegedly committed CBT by dishonestly misusing a total of RM313,124,617.02 that belonged to the company.
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He was accused of committing the offences at a bank in Bukit Tunku between May 3, 2016 and Oct 21, 2019.
Abu Sahid was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code which carries imprisonment up to 20 years, caning and a possible fine upon conviction.
For the first 10 money laundering charges, he is accused of transferring RM116,449,536.12 from his bank account to the accounts of five individuals and four construction companies between May 4, 2016 and Oct 29, 2019.
For the 11th to the 13th money laundering charges, he allegedly disposed proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM22,802,612.86 by cashing multiple cheques between May 4, 2016 and Sept 19, 2018.
The charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001, carry prison time of up to 15 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of proceeds from illegal activities or RM5mil, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib told judge Suzana Hussin that both parties agreed on the conditions for bail.
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He said the prosecution offered bail of RM1.5mil in one surety and wanted the accused's passport to be impounded by the court.
"The prosecution is also seeking for the cases to be tried together," DPP Akram added.
Lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik concurred and said the defence had no objection.
Judge Suzana allowed a joint trial and fixed bail at RM1.5mil in one surety.
The accused was ordered to surrender his passport as part of the bail condition.
The case is set for mention on Nov 3.
