FORMER Bersatu Information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan claimed trial today to fresh money-laundering charges involving RM5.59 million, at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the 18 charges that were read out to him before judge Suzana Hussain this morning.

The charges were framed under section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), which provides for up to 15 years’ jail and a minimum fine of RM5 million, upon conviction.

Previously, he faced two charges linked to the Jana Wibawa stimulus package introduced by the Perikatan Nasional government to help Bumiputera contractors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In February, Wan Saiful denied accepting a bribe of nearly RM7 million in connection with projects commissioned under Jana Wibawa.

He also pleaded not guilty to soliciting an unspecified sum of money for a road project worth RM232 million, also in relation to the same programme. – October 25, 2023.