Ex-oil and gas director and staff plead not guilty to money laundering
Tuesday, 7 Aug 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: A former oil and gas company director and a former technical officer of Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd were hauled to the court again to face money laundering charges amounting to RM1.7mil.
Yong Mee Lan, 54, and Ahmad Asyraaf Kamarul Zaman, 29, both pleaded not guilty after the charges were separately read out to them before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob.
Yong was accused of receiving RM226,000 through five cheques belonging to AceTimur Drilling Sdn Bhd and banked into her Public Bank account.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Public Bank branch in Taman Connaught on March 26, 2015, and July 27, 2015.
He allegedly committed the offences at Maybank in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and CIMB Bank in Suria KLCC between Feb 12, 2016, and April 21, 2016.
Rozina allowed Ahmad Asyraaf bail in the form of a house grant in two sureties and an additional bail of RM50,000 while Yong was allowed bail at RM100,000 in one surety.
Ahmad Asyraaf was represented by lawyer Mohd Haziq Dhiyauddin Razali and Yong was represented by lawyer Mohd Fozi Md Zin.
In a separate court, Yong and another individual, Jamsari Abdul Rahim, 41, pleaded not guilty to a charge of money laundering involving RM13mil through a cheque belonging to AceTimur Drilling.
They were accused of committing the offence at Public Bank in Taman Connaught on July 10, 2015.
Jamsari also claimed trial to 10 counts of money laundering amounting to RM12,122,216.60 at Maybank in Taman Tun Dr Ismail between May 25, 2015, and Nov 16, 2016.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed bail for Jamsari at RM270,000 in one surety.
Jamsari was represented by lawyer Rodzim Zaimy.
At another court, Yong’s husband Ng Soon Ling, 54, pleaded not guilty to two counts of receiving RM3,852,712.20 and RM2,377,400.20 via his bank accounts.
The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bank in Taman Mutiara and Standard Chartered in Taman Prima Saujana on Feb 4 and Feb 5, 2016.
Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad allowed Ng bail at RM400,000 in one surety.
All the charges were under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum 15 years’ jail and a fine of five times the amount or RM5mil, or whichever is higher upon conviction.
The three courts fixed Aug 20 for mention.
All the cases will be transferred before Rozina for a joint trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Amira Sariaty Zainal appeared for the prosecution.
On March 12, Yong and Ahmad Asyraaf were jointly charged and pleaded not guilty to making false claims amounting to RM20mil relating to oil and gas works three years ago.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/07/duo-slapped-with-more-charges-exoil-and-gas-director-and-staff-plead-not-guilty-to-money-laundering/#xAG6x5w3qTyBQSpW.99
