This followed a decision by Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah today in allowing Ahmad’s application to have his case transferred from the sessions court to the High Court.
Ahmad’s lawyer, Hamidi Mohd Noh told Bernama that the decision was made because there were serious legal issues that arose, especially in the charges faced by his client under Section 32 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001.
“Besides that, there were two other similar cases including the case of Shahrir Ab Samad (former Felda chairman) which was also transferred to the High Court,” he said, adding that the application to transfer the case was filed on June 28.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar said that the prosecution had no objection to the case being transferred to the High Court.
“The prosecution will present 10 or 11 witnesses to testify at the trial,” he said.
Previously, the case was set for trial before sessions court Judge Suzana Hussain from July 5.
On the charge of money laundering, Ahmad was alleged to have violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from the former prime minister in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013.
He is alleged to have received the money, believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, via a cheque from AmIslamic Bank Berhad dated Nov 27, 2013 which he personally cashed the same day.
The offence was allegedly committed at the LHDN, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.
The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of Amla 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.
The other was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by its investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room at the Parliament building here, between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.
The charge, framed under Section 32(8)c) of Amla 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM3 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both if found guilty.