THE Attorney General’s Chambers has dropped its appeal against a High Court decision to acquit and discharge lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah for money laundering. 

In a statement today, Shafee & Co, on behalf of Shafee, said the appeal before the Court of Appeal is deemed dismissed under Rule 73 of the Rules of the Court of Appeal 1994. 

“The decision by the attorney-general/public prosecutor is not only an exercise of discretion without fear or favour but underpins the unimpeachable nature of the High Court decision. 

“The learned judge, in a comprehensive assessment, determined that there existed no element of a predicate offence (i.e., illegal activity) to substantiate charges of money laundering.” 

This led to the acquittal of Shafee on all four charges of money laundering involving RM9.5 million allegedly received from former prime minister Najib Razak. 

Shafee was charged in 2018 with receiving proceeds from unlawful activities – via cheques issued by Najib – into his CIMB Bank Bhd account. 

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. – December 5, 2023.