14 charged with money-laundering involving about RM1.4 billion

Twelve men and two women were charged in the Sessions Court here today, with money-laundering involving about RM1.4 billion since 2012.

They claimed trial when the 646 charges were read out before Judge Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim.

The accused were identified as Ahmad Shah Mhd Shafie, 36; Arus Md Salleh, 28; Luwi Poh Li, 38; Tay Kim Kee, 58; Wong Shu Haw, 39; Muhammad Azuwan Ismail, 22; and Muhammad Faizul Mohd Haniffa, 23.

The others are Jihad Dudden Shaikh Ali Khan, 26; Mohd Ali Jinnah, 54; Naina Mohammad Abd Kadar, 41; Noor Suhaily Harun, 27; Sutanto Sanarja, 49; Tajuddeen Abdul Rahim, 69; and Ter Leong Jenn, 40.

The 14 comprise sole owners of companies, directors and partners.

Of the charges, 285 were against Ter, Arus (135), Ahmad Shah (126), Wong (68), Muhammad Azuwan (six) and Noor Suhaily (five).

Naina and Mohd Ali faced four charges each, Jihad, Thajudeen and Sutanto (three each) and Muhammad Faizul (two) while Luwi and Tay one each.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the offences between 2012 and 2016 within Johor Bahru, by way of transferring, receiving, possessing, and disposing illegal funds on behalf of the original sender to recipients within the country or abroad.

The court set bail of between RM20,000 and RM3 million in one or two sureties for all the accused, as well as ordered them to surrender their passports to the court.

The court also set May 7 for re-mention.

Husmarudin Husin appeared as deputy public prosecutor while the accused were represented by lawyers Mahendran Mahason, Rosli Kamaruddin, Shaikh Saleem SM Daud and Pang Kong Seng.

-- BERNAMA