WAN Saiful Wan Jan today said the money laundering charges against him were nothing but the government’s attempt to divert the public’s attention from its numerous failures. 
 
The Bersatu supreme council member alleged that all 18 charges against him were to cover up the failure of the government in dealing with issues that plagued the people, especially the rising cost of living. 
 
“I consider this new charge against me to be an attempt to distract the people from the various failures committed by the government today… failure to control the increase in the price of goods, failure to control the increase in the cost of living, failure to help the people, failure to carry out the reforms they are fighting for and many others. 
 
“So, they have to find new issues that can be used to distract the people from all their failures,” the Tasek Gelugor lawmaker told reporters in court today. 
 
Wan Saiful said efforts to divert attention had to be done immediately by the government due to the criticism they faced. 
 
“If the government does not change its focus, then the people’s focus will be on their failures,” Wan Saiful said. 
 
The former National Higher Education Fund Corporation chairman alleged the charges against him were also made hastily when he was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 30 minutes before being charged again in a different courtroom. 
 
“I entered (court) expecting to be accused with charges, the first court granted me a DNAA. I did not understand why I was released when I was not even charged. 
 
“But as a result of the confusion, something happened that led to DNAA first, I think 30 minutes of DNAA, then immediately I was charged again in the courtroom next door. 
 
Earlier, Wan Saiful pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to 18 charges involving money laundering amounting to almost RM6 million. 
 
He pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Judge Suzana Husin. 
 
Based on the charge sheet, Wan Saiful was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001[Act 613]. 
 
If he is found guilty, he may receive a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the amount of illegal activity or RM5 million, whichever is higher. – October 25, 2023.