THE businessman who was last week charged with cheating the main contractor of the Penang Undersea Tunnel project has been slapped with 68 counts of money laundering today.

G. Gnanaraja pleaded not guilty to the offences that involved RM11.4 million.

It took an hour for the charges to be read in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today before justice Rozina Ayob.

He was indicted under Section 4(1)(b) under the Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds or Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), which, upon conviction, carries a jail term up to 15 years and a fine not less than five time the amount involved.

The money laundering allegedly took place in various banks in Kuala Lumpur between July 28, 2017 and January 18, last year. 

Gnanaraja, dressed in a black suit, appeared calm during proceedings.

Bail was set at RM50,000, in addition to land title to a property worth RM820,000, with two sureties.

Deputy public prosecutor Allan Sumai Pillai applied for the case to be heard at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, where Gnanaraja claimed trial to three cheating cases last week.

Gnanaraja’s lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent did not object. The case has been set for mention on May 6.

Both men did not speak to the press later.

Gnanaraja is the alleged owner and director Bumi Muhibbah Capital, from which must of the money laundering transfers were made, including a cheque amounting to RM2.2 million issued to a bank account belonging to the Home Ministry.

He was arrested yesterday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and was brought to court today by enforcement officers.

Gnanaraja was charged last week for cheating the main contractor of the Penang undersea tunnel project.

He claimed trial last week for deceiving the managing director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, on three occasions for a sum totalling RM19 million in 2017.

The 38-year-old businessman had allegedly convinced Zarul that he could use his connections to close Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations against the managing director under AMLATFPUAA.

Gnanaraja was arrested by MACC in February last year. – April 8, 2019.