THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has dismissed an application by former deputy minister and Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan to strike out his charges of money-laundering and making false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Judge Azman Ahmad delivered his decision this morning, saying the charges are neither defective nor groundless as claimed by the defence.

The judge also fixed trial dates for October 1, 2, 16 and 23, November 6 and December 24.

Ahmad claimed trial to the two criminal charges on January 21.

On the first charge, he was accused of money-laundering by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from former prime minister Najib Razak in the income tax return form for assessment year 2013, and in doing so, had violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

He was alleged to have received the money from Najib, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, through an AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheque dated Nov 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.

The offence was allegedly committed at the IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.

The charge, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

On the second charge, he was accused of giving false statements to the MACC over the issue at the media conference room on July 4, 2019.

The charge, framed under Section 32(8)c) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM3 million, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if found guilty. – July 24, 2020.