A former political secretary to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop was today charged with money laundering involving a sum of RM2,134,656 from ill-gotten gains.

Hasbie Satar, 38, was charged in a sessions court in Butterworth this afternoon, a year after he was found with the money in his apartment in Teluk Air Tawar in Seberang Perai, mainland Penang.

He was charged under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Financing of Terrorism Act 2001.

Sessions judge Mohd Zairan Aman, who fixed March 14 for the hearing, released Hasbie on bail of RM60,000 on two sureties.

DPP Anselm Charles Fernandis had asked for bail to be fixed at RM100,000, but Hasbie, who was not represented, pleaded for a lesser amount, citing family burdens.

NONE "I am also out of a job and without  a pension. I have a family to take care of," he said.

Four days after he was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) upon the discovery of bundles of RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100 notes in his apartment, Nor Mohamed’s office issued a statement saying Hasbie had resigned as the minister's political secretary.

Luxury cars and houses

Hasbie was said to have been under MACC investigation for amassing millions of ringgit in properties, including at least four luxury cars and four houses in the Klang Valley.

The Sarawakian was appointed political secretary in 2008, while Nor Mohamed was finance minister II.

Nor Mohamed, who hails from Penang and is the MP for Tasek Gelugor, held that post from 2004 to 2009.

Teluk Air Tawar is one of the three state constituencies under the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat.

As Minister in the PM's Department, Nor Mohamed is currently in charge of the powerful Economic Planning Unit.