KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has allowed a joint trial for the anti-money laundering cases involving former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife.
Judge Azura Alwi granted the application for a joint trial by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, who told the court on Monday (March 30) that the cases filed at the Shah Alam and Kuala Terengganu Sessions Courts involving the couple had been approved for transfer.
The application for case transfer was done under Section 91 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 and Sections 165 and 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Mahadi said the cases were transferred because the charges involve the same witnesses, same set of facts and predicate offences.
Hafizuddeain, 58, who faces six charges, and his wife Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, 27, who faces five, were present during the proceedings and sat side by side in the dock.
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Lawyers Aizul Rohan Anuar and Fahmi Abd Moin, who represented Hafizuddeain and Salwani, had no objections.
Judge Azura fixed May 18 for mention.
On Jan 22, Hafizuddeain pleaded not guilty to four charges of receiving proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to RM2,122,400.
According to the charge sheets, he received the sums of RM969,000, RM474,850, RM488,550 and RM190,000 which were deposited into three bank accounts under his name.
The offences were allegedly committed at the Bank Muamalat main branch at Jalan Melaka, Menara Maybank and Maybank Bukit Damansara between Feb 2, 2024, and Nov 7 last year.
Hafizuddeain was accused of four counts under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA.
He faces imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM5mil, whichever is higher, if convicted.
The court allowed him RM250,000 bail in two sureties.
The next day at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, Hafizuddeain pleaded not guilty to two charges involving RM115,000 between Sept 19 and Nov 28, 2024, as well as RM30,000 on May 19 last year.
The funds were allegedly transferred into his Maybank account at the bank's Ampang Point branch in Ampang.
ALSO READ: Wife of ex-army chief charged with receiving RM5,000 From unlawful activities
Meanwhile, Salwani claimed trial to four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities, amounting to RM77,000.
According to the charge sheets, Salwani, who was charged in her capacity as the controller of a company, Wany Venture, allegedly received proceeds from illegal activities – RM50,000, RM7,000, RM10,000 and RM10,000 – that were deposited into the company's bank account.
The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bukit Damansara between Nov 24, 2024 and Nov 25 last year.
Salwani was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA and faces up to 15 years' jail and a fine of no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds, or RM5mil, whichever is higher, if convicted.
She was later charged at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court, where she claimed trial to receiving RM5,000, allegedly deposited into her personal bank account at a bank branch in Kerteh, near Besut on Jan 16 last year.
The charge was also framed under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA.
