A 32-YEAR-OLD housewife pleaded not guilty in the Tawau Sessions Court on Thursday to five charges of receiving more than RM1.3 million linked to unlawful activities two years ago.
Norhafiza Abbas entered her plea after the charges were read before Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya.
Four of the charges allege that she used a Maybank Islamic Berhad account under the name Abbas Family Enterprise to receive RM1,288,823.50, while a fifth charge involves receiving RM23,500 into her personal Maybank account.
The funds were allegedly transferred from accounts belonging to Zerina Collection at Maybank Islamic Berhad and Public Islamic Bank Berhad, said to be proceeds of illegal activities between 20 May and 18 July 2023 in Tawau.
The charges were brought under subsection 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613) and are punishable under subsection 4(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, Norhafiza faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount involved, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
The court granted bail of RM5,000 for each charge with one surety, and fixed 2 December for case mention.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Afendi appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented. - October 30, 2025
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