Prosecution withdraws appeals to forfeit RM21m allegedly linked to 1MDB

The prosecution today withdrew its appeals to forfeit monies totalling RM21.7 million belonging to 11 entities and individuals, including Pekan Umno and the Johor Umno liaison committee, allegedly linked to IMDB funds.

The others are from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, Jakel Trading, Barisan Nasional Johor Bahru division, Mediaedge CIA Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sarawak United People's Party, director for Strategic Engagement Media Sdn Bhd (CENSE Media) Sim Sai Hoon, AGA Touch Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Persatuan Bekas Anggota Kemas Malaysia (Yayasan PBAKM) and former land and cooperative development minister Kasitah Gaddam.

Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar notified the Court of Appeal three-member bench that the prosecution has withdrawn its appeals against the eleven respondents.

The notice of discontinuance of the appeals was filed on Jan 27.

Kamal Bahrin also told the court that monies that were seized would be returned to the respondents.

Justice Kamaludin Md Said, who presided with Justices Abu Bakar Jais and Supang Lian, then struck out the appeals.

The prosecution was unsuccessful in the High Court to forfeit RM700,000 from Pekan Umno, RM100,000 from Yayasan PBAKM, RM628,314 from Jakel Trading, RM10,747,042.77 from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, RM677,872.55, from the Johor Umno Liaison Committee, RM957,395.65 from Johor Bahru Barisan Nasional

A separate High Court had also dismissed the prosecution's appeal to forfeit RM100,000 from Kasitah, RM3 million belonging to AGA Touch (M) Sdn Bhd, an IT firm, RM41,261.64 from Sim Sai Hoon, the director of the research firm Centre for Strategic Engagement Sdn Bhd, RM188,138.26 from Sarawak United People's Party and RM4,631,602 from Mediaedge CIA.

Meanwhile, the court fixed March 28 for hearing of the appeals brought by Pahang MCA liaison committee, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and the family of the late former Paya Besar MP and Umno division head Abdul Manan Ismail.

This is to enable them to file their respective representations to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) following the prosecution's stand to withdraw its appeals for the 11 cases.

Justice Kamaludin, chairing the bench, said there must be consistency since the prosecution has withdrawn its appeal for the 11 cases.

He then suggested that counsel for the three cases submit their representations to the AGC.

Kamaludin then ordered the three parties to go for case management.

A case management was subsequently conducted before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli who then set March 28 for hearing for the three appeals. He also gave the parties until Feb 10 to submit their representations to the AGC.

Three separate High Courts had allowed the prosecution's application to forfeit monies totalling RM2.1 million from Pahang MCA liaison committee, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and Abdul Manan's family.

The 14 cases today are among 41 entities from which the MACC sought to recover assets said to have been paid for using funds from 1MDB.

- Bernama

1MDB trial: RM2.08b flowed into Najib's account in early 2013 - banker

Lawyer: No 1MDB funds in UK-based escrow account

US$185m 1MDB funds laundered on oil venture in Venezuela - prosecution