KUALA LUMPUR – After almost three years, the trial of prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who faces two counts of money laundering involving RM9.5 million he allegedly received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and two charges of making false statements to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), will commence tomorrow at the high court here.
Previously, Shafee's trial dates had been vacated to make way for Najib's trials. Shafee is the lead counsel for the former premier's criminal cases.
The trial before judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin is scheduled to begin at 9am.
The case will be conducted by deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz while lawyer Harvinderjit Singh will appear for Shafee.
On September 13, 2018, Shafee, 69, pleaded not guilty to receiving proceeds from unlawful activity via cheques issued by Najib, which were remitted into Shafee’s CIMB Bank Bhd account.
He allegedly received a cheque for RM4.3 million on September 13, 2013 and another for RM5.2 million on February 17, 2014.
Shafee also faces two charges of being involved in transactions of proceeds from unlawful activity by making inaccurate statements and in contravention of paragraph 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for financial years ending December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014. – Bernama, May 20, 2021
