KUALA LUMPUR: The cases of allegedly receiving money from illegal activities involving former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin will be tried together at the Sessions Court here.
Judge Azura Alwi decided this Monday (March 30) after allowing the application of deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, which was not objected to by lawyer Aizul Rohan Anuar who represented Hafizuddeain, and lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin, representing Salwani.
"The court allowes the prosecution's application for the cases to be tried together and sets May 18 for mention of the case for the submission of documents. The bail of both accused is maintained," Azura said during case mention.
Earlier, Mahadi said Hafizuddeain was previously charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court and the case was transferred to the Sessions Court here, while Salwani was charged at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court and the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
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"The prosecution requested that all these cases be tried together in accordance with the provisions of 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 (CPC).
"The reason for this application is because it involves the same witnesses and facts of the case as well as the same predicate offence.
"Therefore, (it is requested) that these cases be tried together and that a case mention date be set for the submission of documents," he said.
On Jan 22, Hafizuddeain was charged in the Sessions Court here on four counts of receiving proceeds of illegal activities, namely money amounting to RM969,000, RM474,850, RM488,550 and RM190,000 deposited into three bank accounts belonging to him.
All the offences were allegedly committed at three banks, involving three different locations, namely at Jalan Melaka, Bukit Damansara and the city centre here between Feb 2, 2024 and Nov 7 last year, under Subsection 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act.
The section provides for a maximum imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or proceeds of the illegal activity or RM5mil, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
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On the same date, Salwani was charged with four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities, amounting to RM50,000, RM7,000, RM10,000 and RM10,000 respectively, which were deposited into a bank account belonging to her at a branch of the bank at Damansara Heights, Wisma UOA II here, between Nov 24, 2024 and Nov 25 last year.
The charges were brought under Subsection 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA read together with Subsection 87(1)(a), and punishable under Subsection 4(1).
On Jan 23, Hafizuddeain was charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court with two counts of receiving proceeds of illegal activities, namely money amounting to RM115,000 and RM30,000 deposited into a bank account belonging to him at a bank branch at Ampang Point, Ampang between Feb 2, 2024 and May 19 last year.
He was also charged under Subsection 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA which carries the same punishment as above.
Salwani was also charged at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on Jan 26 on a charge of receiving money amounting to RM5,000, which was allegedly the proceeds of illegal activities, deposited into her bank account
The offence was allegedly committed at a bank branch in Kerteh near Besut, on Jan 16 last year.
The charge was brought under Subsection 4(1) (b) of AMLATFPUAA and punishable under Subsection 4(1). – Bernama
