Muhammad Shafee pleads not guilty to money laundering charges
(The Star) – Prominent lawyer Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has claimed trial to two charges of receiving money from the proceeds of illegal activities at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
He pleaded not guilty to the two charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 involving RM4.3mil and RM5.2mil received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday (Sept 13).
Dr Muhammad Shafee also pleaded not guilty to two charges of making incorrect returns by omitting or understating any income under the Income Tax Act.
He earlier arrived at Kuala Lumpur Court Complex at 11.15am dressed in a suit and a polka dot tie.
He was escorted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) personnel.
The prosecution was led by former judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.
Dr Muhammad Shafee was at the Johor Baru High Court to attend to a case on Wednesday (Sept 12) morning and had returned to Kuala Lumpur.
He was scheduled to fly to Penang to handle a Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 case.
He was arrested at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Aiport in Subang before the scheduled flight on Thursday morning.
On Sept 6, the Attorney General’s Chamber issued an affidavit claiming that Dr Muhammad Shafee received payments amounting to RM9.5mil from Najib between 2013 and 2014.
Allegations have surfaced that the payments were made to prosecute Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy II appeals at the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
Dr Muhammad Shafee denied the allegations, saying that the payments were for legal services done for Umno and Barisan Nasional.
