UMNO veteran Shahrir Samad this morning claimed trial to one count of money laundering involving RM1 million.

Shahrir was charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.

The 71-year-old Johor Baru Umno chief pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi.

Shahrir was accused of failing to declare the RM1 million cheque he allegedly received from former prime minister Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board.

Shahrir first received the cheque on November 28, 2013 and he was accused of committing the offence on April 30, 2014, at the IRB’s Duta branch in Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy public prosecutor Norzilati Izhani Zainal asked the court for RM500,000 bail with one surety and his international passport seized.

Justice Azura later fixed bail at RM350,000 with one surety and set February 24 for case mention. She also ordered the accused to hand over his international passport.

Shahrir, who is the elder brother of Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad, faces a fine not more than RM5 million, jail of not more than five years, or both, if found guilty.

Shahrir was represented by lawyer Shaharuddin Ali.

The RM1 million is related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), money which Shahrir allegedly received from Najib who was then prime minister, finance minister and Umno president.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had said it was seeking to recover RM420 million from 80 individuals and entities which received money from 1MDB.

Also charged for a similar offence today was Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan who was slapped with two offences under anti-money laundering laws, for failure to declare RM2 million allegedly received from Najib and for making false statements to the authorities.

Ahmad pleaded not guilty for the offences and judge Azman Ahmad set bail at RM500,000. – January 21, 2020.