KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today ruled that the prosecution in the case of Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is charged with money laundering, failed to prove that the RM9.5 million received by the lawyer from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was proceeds from unlawful activities.
Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin, in his summary judgment, said that based on the testimony of the prosecution witnesses, there was no evidence of predicate action (illegal activity) involved and also where the money was obtained from.
“On the other hand, the testimony of the 8th prosecution witness (SP8), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mohd Farid Jabbar, confirmed during cross-examination that there was no illegal activity involved in the accused receiving the money through cheques and that the money was not proceeds from unlawful activities,“ said the judge.
He said since there was no predicate offence nor proceeds from unlawful activities involved, the (alleged) predicate offences could not be proven.
Following which, judge Muhammad Jamil acquitted Muhammad Shafee, 70, on charges of money laundering involving RM9.5 million allegedly received from the former prime minister and making false declarations to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). – Bernama