KUALA LUMPUR: Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has claimed trial for all 18 money laundering charges amounting over RM5.59mil.
The former Bersatu information chief pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin on Wednesday (Oct 25).
“I plead not guilty and claim trial,” he said after hearing each charge at the court here.
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According to the charge sheet, the former PTPTN chairman allegedly transferred a sum of proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM78,800 from a bank account belonging to his company WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd to a bank account owned by Tagami Auto Enterprise Sdn Bhd to purchase a Ford Ranger.
On Aug 22 and 29 last year, Wan Saiful also allegedly gratified a sum of RM2.3mil through two cheques from WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd into his personal bank account.
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On Oct 31 last year, through the same company, he allegedly transferred a total of RM180,000 from unlawful activities to the National Sports Council.
In another charge, a sum of RM38,160 was allegedly transferred from Wan Saiful’s company to Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd on Nov 3, 2022.
Other 14 charges also involved money being allegedly transferred from his company's bank account to several other organisations and individuals.
He allegedly committed all offences at the Bukit Tunku CIMB Bank branch between August and November last year.
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The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
If convicted, Wan Saiful faces imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM5mil, whichever is higher.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop said that Wan Saiful was also charged at another Sessions Court here in February and suggested the hearing be transferred to the same court.
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She also suggested bails for the previous predicate offence, which was set at RM400,000 in one surety and the accused’s passport to be handed over to the court, to be applied for the fresh 18 counts of money laundering charges.
Defence counsels did not object to the suggestion made.
Judge Suzanna approved the case to be heard together with Wan Saiful’s previous charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
In February, Wan Saiful was charged with two counts of corruption involving some RM6.9mil.
His bid to strike out the graft charges failed in July after the application was dismissed by the Sessions Court here.
Judge Rozina Ayob who presided over the case ordered the trial to proceed and the trial will begin in March next year.
