Former Johor Exco member, two others acquitted on corruption, money laundering charges involving RM35.7 million

JOHOR BAHRU: The Sessions Court here today acquitted former Johor executive council member (exco) Datuk Abdul Latif Bandi, his son and a real estate consultant on charges of corruption and money laundering, involving RM35.7 million.

Judge Kamaruddin Kamsun made the decision after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against the three of them.

Abdul Latif, 56, was charged with 33 counts of corruption and 13 counts of money laundering, while his son, Ahmad Fauzan Hatim, 30, was charged with four counts of money laundering and the consultant, Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 49, was charged with 33 counts of corruption and four counts of money laundering.

They were charged onJune 14, 2017 and on April 21, 2019, the court acquitted and discharged the three of them of all the charges after finding the prosecution having failed to prove a prima facie case.

However, on Nov 7, 2021, the High Court ordered the former State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman and the two to enter their defence on the 37 charges, following a ruling by judge Datuk Abu Bakar Katar that the Sessions Court had erred in its decision.

On the corruption charges, the three men are charged under Section 28 (1) (C) of the MACC Act 2009, read together with Section 16 (a) (B) of the same act.

They were also charged under Section 32 (8) (c) and Section 89 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti -Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities (AMLA) Act 2001.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin in his judgment said the court had looked into all the evidence presented during the trial, as well as as heard submissions by both parties, and found that the defence had successfully raised reasonable doubts on the prosecution's case.

He said the court found that the consultation fee received by Amir Shariffuddin was legally valid and as such, refuted the prosecution's claim that the money was obtained from unlawful activities.

The defence succeeded in raising reasonable doubts against the prosecution's case and as such, all the accused are acquitted and discharged of all the charges and the bail to be with returned, said the judge.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director I, Legal and Prosecution Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who appeared for the prosecution and assisted by deputy public prosecutors Ahmad Akram Gharib and Mahadi Abdul Jumaat.Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, said the prosecution would file an appeal against the decision.

Abdul Latif and Ahmad Fauzan Hatim were represented by lawyers Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican, Siti Sarah Khalil, Zulaikha Aini Mohamed Khoir Johari, Rahim Alin and Muzzamil Merican, while lawyer Khairulazwad Sariman represented Amir Shariffuddin.

-- BERNAMA