A DEFIANT Shafee Abdullah said today the money-laundering charges against him will not stick as the prosecution had put together a shaky case, adding that the charges were “political” as part of fulfilling campaign promises made by Pakatan Harapan in the run-up to GE14.
The influential lawyer who had represented Umno and Barisan Nasional, was today charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court with money laundering and tax offences under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001.
He was accused of receiving RM9.5 million from former prime minister Najib Razak, believed to be illegally obtained from state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
“It is quite clear that if they cannot prove that I knew the money I received from Datuk Seri Najib is in fact illegal money, then the four charges are gone,” he said.
“For a case like this, I think a High Court judge is better suited. If you give me an independent High Court judge, or any judge, I can almost tell you we will win the case.”
The charges are related to a statement by PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, who said he had received an affidavit by an officer of the A-G’s Chambers claiming that Shafee received RM9.5 million from Najib in 2013 and 2014.
Shafee said he had no knowledge of whether the money was related to 1MDB that is now the subject of investigations.
“It is quite clear, if I ask anyone of you in 2013 or 2014, ‘Have you heard of 1MDB or SRC (former 1MDB subsidiary)?’, all of you would have to say you’d never heard of it.
“So how would I know in 2013 or 2014 that there was a matter like 1MDB and SRC. This is on the assumption that something went wrong with 1MDB or SRC, which is now being disputed by Datuk Seri Najib.
“1MDB, they (the authorities) are still struggling. I am sure they will bring charges related to 1MDB against Najib, even if they couldn’t complete their investigations.
“Even if they know they’re going to lose their case, they’ve got to to keep their word. Otherwise the people of Malaysia will no longer believe (in them).”
He was referring to election promises made by Pakatan Harapan that those involved in the 1MDB scandal will brought to justice within 100 days of PH winning federal power.
Shafee also alleged that Anwar’s argument that the prosecution was compromised when he acted as ad hoc prosecutor in the second sodomy trial in 2014, was flawed.
“He (Anwar) is trying to run an argument that because I received RM9.5 million, purportedly as a reward to prosecute him, that he did not receive a fair trial.
“I did not prosecute the case, I did not conduct the case. I only conducted the appeal. Appeal means your record is there. I only take your record and argue.
“I cannot make the evidence better. I can only argue based on the record,” Shafee said.
Shafee claimed trial to all four charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
He is released on a RM1 million bail.
Case management has been set for October 2. – September 13, 2018.
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