A FORMER special officer to Malacca Heritage City’s mayor was charged with money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving a total of RM19.3 million at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today.

The accused, 56-year-old Mohd Yusof Abu Hassan faces 11 charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) and four charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

If found guilty, Yusof could be jailed up to 15 years and fined up to five times the value or amount of proceeds from illegal activities, or RM5 million, whichever value is higher, said the MACC statement today.

He could also be jailed between two to 20 years along with whipping and a fine for the charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

Yusof pleaded not guilty to all charges and Justice Norma Ismail set bail at RM1.6 million. The case is set to be heard again on June 22.

The accused must also surrender his passport to the court and is required to check in at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Malacca each month.

Yusof was accused of moving more than RM8.1 million in funds generated from illegal activities between March and September 2016 in Malacca.

He is also accused of using cheques from companies Taraf Budi Development Sdn Bhd and SP Enterprise Sdn Bhd involving RM11.2 million when acting as their agent.

MACC was represented by DPP Afzainizam Abdul Aziz and Ahmad Akram Gharib. – May 9, 2017.