Ahmad's RM1.1m payment is punitive action, asset recovery - MACC
The RM1.1 million paid by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan for his offence of failing to declare his receipt of RM2 million from former premier Najib Abdul Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) was a penalty, explained the MACC.
The anti-corruption body clarified that the compound payment was a form for punitive action taken against individuals charged with money laundering.
“(It is also) a form of asset recovery under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla),” it said in a statement today.
The MACC noted that Ahmad had made several representations to...
The RM1.1 million paid by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan for his offence of failing to declare his receipt of RM2 million from former premier Najib Abdul Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) was a penalty, explained the MACC.
The anti-corruption body clarified that the compound payment was a form for punitive action taken against individuals charged with money laundering.
“(It is also) a form of asset recovery under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla),” it said in a statement today.
The MACC noted that Ahmad had made several representations to the authorities through his lawyers during the course of his trial before subsequently agreeing to a compound payment after he was charged with money laundering on Jan 20, 2020.
It also said that the Umno secretary-general was offered a similar settlement in October 2019 but refused and chose then to claim trial.
The commission added that the settlement was in accordance with Section 92(1) of the Amla.
Earlier today, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur had acquitted and discharged Ahmad on charges of failing to declare RM2 million which he received from Najib to the IRB and giving false statements to the MACC.
Charges withdrawn
Judge Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh ordered Ahmad to be freed after DPP Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar informed the court that the prosecution was withdrawing the two charges after the accused paid a compound of RM1.1 million yesterday.
“In making the application not to proceed with the prosecution against the accused, the DPP confirmed that the accused will not be charged again with the same charges in the future.
"This is due to the fact that the accused had accepted the offer of a compound and having settled the compound payment," the judge said.
For the first charge, Ahmad is alleged to have engaged in money laundering by not reporting actual income in the Income Tax Return Form for the Year of Assessment 2013 which is contrary to Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.
He was alleged to have violated Section 113(1)(a) by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from the former prime minister in that form.
The former deputy finance minister was alleged to have received the money, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, via a check from AmIslamic Bank Berhad dated Nov 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.
The offence was allegedly committed at the IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.
The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of Amla, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
The other charge was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room, at the Parliament building between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.
Framed under Section 32(8)(c) of Amla, the charge provides a maximum fine of RM3 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
