Former army chief, third wife plead not guilty to laundering over RM2m

Former army chief Hafizuddeain Jantan and one of his wives pleaded not guilty in two separate Sessions Courts this morning to money laundering charges involving more than RM2 million in funds.

At the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Hafizuddeain was charged with four counts of money laundering for receiving a total of RM2.1 million deposited into his Maybank and Bank Muamalat Berhad accounts on four separate occasions in 2024 and 2025.

According to the charge sheets, the 57-year-old former general was alleged to have received RM969,000, which were proceeds from illegal activities, deposited into his Bank Muamalat account from May 7 to June 25 last year.

He was also alleged to have received RM474,850 from Feb 2 to Dec 3, 2024; RM488,550 on Jan 15 to Nov 7, as well as RM190,000 from March 12 to Aug 21 last year, deposited into two of his Maybank accounts.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUA), which carries a maximum 15 years’ jail and a fine of at least five times the value of the proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

RM300k bail sought

The prosecution, led by MACC’s legal and prosecution division senior director Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, suggested to the court to consider a RM300,000 bail, with additional bail conditions such as for the accused to report himself to MACC every month.

Wan Shaharuddin further suggested that the judge order Hafizuddeain to surrender his passport to the court as he is deemed a flight risk.

Hafizuddeain’s lawyer Aizul Rohan Anuar pleaded for a lower bail amount as RM300,000 is considered excessive.

“The accused has served in the military for 40 years before he retired. He earned RM15,000 per month as a pensioner.

“Given that all his bank accounts are frozen, it would be a punishment (for the accused) if a high bail amount is imposed,” he said.

Judge Azura Alwi granted Hafizuddeain RM250,000 bail with two sureties and ordered him to report to MACC’s office once a month, as well as to surrender his passport to the court until the case is disposed of.

The court fixed March 30 for mention.

Hafizuddeain and several other top military officers have been the subject of MACC investigations into alleged corruption involving military procurement and funding.

Third wife in the dock

At a separate Sessions Court, Hafizuddeain’s third wife Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin was charged with four counts of money laundering, allegedly receiving RM77,000 funds from illegal activity.

She was accused of receiving RM50,000 on Nov 24 and 28 as well as RM7,000 on Dec 4 in 2025; RM10,000 on Jan 25 and RM10,000 on Nov 25 last year, which were deposited into Wany Venture’s CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad’s account.

The 26-year-old, who pleaded not guilty before judge Rosli Ahmad, was charged in her capacity as Wany Venture’s controller, where she was accused of committing the offence at CIMB Damansara Heights' branch.

Her charges were also framed under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUA 2001.

Salwani was seen entering the court on a wheelchair, reportedly due to a boil on her thigh.

Wan Shaharuddin, who led the prosecution's team in her case, suggested that the court consider a bail amount between RM30,000 and RM50,000, for the accused to report herself to MACC’s office as well as to surrender her passport, as she is also deemed a flight risk.

However, Salwani’s lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin said bail is to secure the accused’s attendance in court, which should not be punitive.

“My client is only 26 years old and she had just gotten married in August last year. She has an online business with inconsistent income.

“Her husband was charged earlier and was granted RM250,000 bail… My client has been under investigation since Jan 5 and was under remand for five days, beginning Jan 7.

“I am told that she has fully cooperated with the MACC, which led to her charges today. There is no indication that she is a flight risk (as) she is still supporting and caring for her parents,” he said in seeking a RM20,000 bail.

Subsequently, the judge set Salwani’s bail at RM30,000 with two sureties, ordered her to report to MACC’s office once a month, and to surrender her passport to the court.

The court also fixed March 30 for mention.

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