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Man resembling 'Gang Nicky'-linked businessperson seen in PKR shirt; party denies membership
A photograph showing the man alongside Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the event reportedly held in Petaling Jaya was shared on X by former Batu PKR chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi.
However, the photograph...
A man resembling Nicky Liow, who was charged over links to the so-called “Gang Nicky”, was spotted wearing a PKR shirt at a recent party event, prompting questions over his identity and presence there.
A photograph showing the man alongside Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the event reportedly held in Petaling Jaya was shared on social media by former Batu PKR chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi.
However, the photograph, which appeared to be from Persatuan Kebajikan Yee Aik Banting Selangor’s Facebook page, whose members were also at the event, could no longer be found.
Malaysiakini was unable to independently verify that the man in the photograph is Liow.
“When I saw the photograph, I began wondering what became of the 26 money laundering charges involving RM36 million that were brought against him in 2022,” Asheeq said on X.
“My checks show that the last scheduled court date for his (Liow’s) case at the Shah Alam Sessions Court was on June 15, 2023.
“As a legal practitioner, I am certain that this would not have been a trial date, but merely a case mention. I have not been able to find any online news reports on what transpired in court on June 15, 2023, nor any subsequent reports on the case since then.
“What I do know is that Liow’s younger brother and members of his gang were acquitted after the attorney-general decided to withdraw the charges against them and accepted their representations in 2022,” said the former Federal Territories PKR Youth chief.
He also called on Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to clarify the status of the charges against Liow.
READ MORE: Appellate court acquits 14 individuals linked to 'Nicky Gang' of all charges
Money laundering case
Liow, also known as “Datuk Seri Nicky”, claimed trial on April 12, 2022, to 26 counts of money laundering involving RM36 million at the Shah Alam Sessions Court.
The charges were framed under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, according to The Star. He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of between RM5 million and five times the amount involved.
The court granted him bail of RM1 million with two sureties and ordered him to surrender his passport.
Liow had been on the run for more than a year before surrendering himself to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department.
The Winner Dynasty Group founder was placed on the police wanted list over his alleged involvement in a syndicate known as “Gang Nicky”, which police have linked to organised crimes including fraud and money laundering.
Police had also investigated him under Sections 130V to 130ZB of the Penal Code for alleged organised crime-related activities.
MP raises questions
In a separate statement, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said the matter had drawn further attention because the man was wearing a PKR Youth shirt.
“We are all aware that Liow is no stranger to controversy. Given that the event was an important one, which also saw the admission of new members, I congratulate PKR if it is indeed true that the party has accepted Liow as one of its members.
“That said, PKR has yet to explain to the public why he was accorded such an honour that he was brought into the guest waiting area to take a photograph with the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.
“The irony is that PJ Civic Hall, which was once a stage for the reformasi movement and a symbol of the struggle against the abuse of power, has now become the venue from which such a photograph emerged,” Lee added.
Malaysiakini has contacted Saifuddin for comment on the status of Liow’s court case and is awaiting his response.
READ MORE: Pahang palace strips fugitive Nicky Liow of Datuk Seri title
Not a PKR member
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh later confirmed that Liow is not a party member.
“I can confirm that the name Liow Soo Hee, also known as Nicky Liow, does not appear in the party’s membership records.
“He also does not appear on the list of individuals who have applied to become members,” she told Malaysiakini.
PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim also said he could not confirm whether the man in the photograph was Liow.
“I don’t know him. I can’t confirm. But even if it is him, we already checked our membership system and his name never appeared.
“I mean, a photograph with the prime minister, by anyone, cannot be used as a basis to defend or absolve oneself from any criminal charges. The law shall prevail,” Kamil said when contacted.
He added that the event was open to the public and attended by more than 3,000 people.
“In any event, people will try to take the opportunity to have a photo with the prime minister. This is not the first time such an incident has happened. However, I can confirm that Liow is not a PKR member and never applied to be one,” he said.
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