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 (pic) and his wife.
Sessions court judge Azura Alwi granted the application for a joint trial by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, who told the court that the cases filed at the Shah Alam and Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court 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 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.
Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 58, who faces six charges, and his wife Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, 27, who faces five charges, were present during the proceedings and sat together in the dock.
Lawyers Aizul Rohan Anuar and Fahmi Abd Moin, who represented Muhammad Hafizuddeain and Salwani, had no objections.
The court fixed May 18 for mention.
Muhammad Hafizuddeian faces four counts under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities 2001.
He is facing 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.
Salwani was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities 2001.
She faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds, or RM5mil, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
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.
All charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Act which carries a sentence of a maximum 15 years’ jail and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the offence or RM5mil, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
