Former Johor state executive councillor Abd Latif Bandi and two others, including his son, today pleaded not guilty to the charge of corruption involving RM35.78 million.

Abd Latif, 51, his son Ahmad Fauzan Hatim, 25, and real estate negotiator Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 44, face a total of 21 charges, Sinar Harian reported. 

Abd Latif, who is former housing and local government exco member, faces 13 charges involving RM17.59 million, while his son faces four charges involving RM735,000. 

Amir faces four charges involving RM17.46 million, according to the daily. 

They were charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla).

Judge Mohd Fauzi Mohd Hakim set bail at RM500,000 for Abdul Latif, RM200,000 for Ahmad Fauzan and RM400,000 for Amir. The case is set for mention on July 5. 

The fresh charges are separate to the 33 charges slapped on Abd Latif and Amir on April 13 involving bribery amounting to RM30.3 million.

They were charged with receiving the funds as kickbacks for changing the bumiputera status of land, and reducing the amount which the individuals had to contribute to the Johor Housing Fund for several projects. 

In March this year, six people including Abd Latif's son were arrested while a total of 150 luxury handbags were seized from Abd Latif's home in Johor Bahru.  

It was reported that MACC began its probe into the state's conversion of hundreds of bumiputera land titles in exchange for kickbacks, back in 2013.