Musa Aman claims trial to 16 money laundering charges
Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman today claimed trial to 16 money laundering charges amounting to over US$37 million.
At today's exchange rate, the sum is equivalent to approximately RM151 million.
The charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 were read out to Musa before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayub...
Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman today claimed trial to 16 money laundering charges amounting to over US$37 million.
At today's exchange rate, the sum is equivalent to approximately RM151 million.
The charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 were read out to Musa before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayub.
In the first charge, Musa was accused of indirect involvement in alleged money-laundering activities by instructing for a bank account to be opened at Singapore's UBS AG Bank under the name of Richard Christopher Barnes, to receive proceeds from an illicit transaction.
He also faced an alternative first charge of instructing for a bank account to be opened at Singapore's UBS AG Bank under the name of Barnes, to hide his ownership of income from alleged illicit activities.
In the subsequent 14 charges, Musa was accused of indirect involvement in money laundering through receipt of illicit funds from various companies and individuals through a UBS AG Bank in Central Hong Kong under the name of Barnes between June 21, 2006, and March 25, 2008.
The largest recorded sum amounted to US$16.15 million, while one transaction stated in the 10th charge against Musa was recorded as S$2.5 million.
For the final charge, Musa was accused of an alleged attempt to launder money by instructing Barnes to transfer all assets and future inflows into his personal account at UBS AG bank in Zurich.
Read more: Lawyer cites ICAC letter 'clearing' Musa Aman of corruption charges
While the charges were read, Musa was allowed to sit down due to his poor health condition.
If convicted under Section 4(1) of the act, Musa stands to face a jail term of up to 15 years or fine no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
No bail was imposed as he had already paid RM2 million in bail for his previous charges.
Musa previously claimed trial to 35 corruption charges amounting to RM263 million in November last year.
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