THE High Court in Kuala Lumpur today was told that the RM1 million Shahrir Ab Samad received from jailed former prime minister Najib Razak was to replace the former’s pension money, which had been used for political activities in the Johor Bahru parliamentary constituency.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Nurzahidah Yacop, 35, said that Shahrir had informed her of this during questioning.

The MACC assistant superintendent agreed with lawyer Syed Faisal Al-Edros Syed Abdullah Al-Edros, representing Shahrir, who said the former MP also informed her that he had verbally requested Najib do this at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, nine years ago.

Nurzahidah also agreed with the lawyer that Shahrir, a former Felda chairman, told her he paid RM1 million to help the community in his constituency, including rehabilitation works on the Puri Langkasuka (Seri Anugerah) project in Larkin, Johor Baru.

Shahrir is on trial for failing to declare to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) the RM1 million he received from Najib through an AmIslamic Bank cheque dated November 27, 2013.

Syed Faisal Al-Edros also asked the witness whether she received Shahrir’s 2013 to 2018 assessment tax form from the deputy head of the celebrity, public and various entertainers desk audit unit, IRB assessment division, Tuan Zulkfli Tuan Lah.

Nurzahidah: Yes, I received Shahrir’s 2013 to 2018 assessment tax form and recorded statement from Tuan Zulkfli, and he stated that the receipt of the money (RM1 million) should be reported to the IRB.

Nurzahidah said she did not submit any appropriate documents regarding the receipt of RM1 million to Tuan Zulkfli when recording the statement.

Nurzahidah also admitted that the IRB could not determine whether the money was income or otherwise because she had not submitted the documents.

Nurzahidah also she had shown Shahrir’s 2013 to 2018 assessment tax form to her superior officer and he (the officer) proposed prosecuting Shahrir on the charge, even though the income could not be verified.

According to Nurzahidah, she had to comply with his instructions, even when he suggested that Shahrir be charged with five other offences.

Syed Faisal Al-Edros: So, as a subordinate officer, you cannot have an independent mind to protest; there is no room to express your independent mind to protest against this charge, correct?

Nurzahidah: Yes.

Shahrir, 72, is facing a charge of money laundering by not stating his real income in the income tax return form for assessment year 2013, in violation of section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

He was charged with committing the offence at the IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 25, 2014.

The charge, under section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, provides imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of RM5 million, or both, if convicted.

The hearing, before Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin, continues tomorrow. – Bernama, December 22, 2022.