Corruption and money laundering: Former senior KBS official jailed for 15 years, fined RM284.2 million
BERNAMA
July 6, 2023 
Otman (left) was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM284.2 million after being found guilty of 32 charges of abusing his position and submitting false claims as well as 64 charges of money laundering 11 years ago
Corruption and money laundering: Former senior KBS official jailed for 15 years, fined RM284.2 million
Otman (left) was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM284.2 million after being found guilty of 32 charges of abusing his position and submitting false claims as well as 64 charges of money laundering 11 years ago. -Photo file/Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Secretary of the Finance Division, Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) Otman Arsahd was today sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined a total of RM284.2 million after being found guilty by the Sessions Court here on 32 charges of abuse of position and submitting false claims and 64 charges of money laundering, 11 years ago.
Judge Kamarudin Kamsun handed down the sentence against Otman, 64, after finding that the prosecution succeeded in proving the case beyond reasonable doubt at the end of the defense case.
"After the court heard sworn testimony from all the witnesses and examined all the exhibits and arguments presented, the court ruled that the defense failed to raise reasonable doubts against the prosecution's case.
"Therefore, the accused was found guilty and convicted of all the charges brought against him," said Kamarudin.
For 17 offenses involving false claims, the court ordered Otman to be imprisoned for a total of 243 years and fined RM190 million or imprisoned for 119 months, if he failed to pay the fine while for 15 charges of abuse of position, the man was imprisoned for 85 years and fined RM10.8 million or imprisoned for 125 months , if the fine is not paid.
Meanwhile, for the 64 charges of receiving money from illegal activities, the court ordered Otman to be imprisoned between three months and 11 years and fined a total of RM83.4 million or jailed for 934 months, if the fine is not paid.
However, Kamarudin ordered all the prison sentences to run concurrently starting today, making it 15 years.
The judge also allowed the application of lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who represented Otman, to postpone the execution of the fine and prison sentence on the condition that the bail was increased by RM300,000 with one surety.
Previously, the accused was guaranteed RM250,000 with a surety.
Kamarudin ordered the guarantee of RM100,000 to be paid today and the remaining balance of RM200,000 to be paid before or on next Monday.
Meanwhile, Kamarudin allowed the prosecution's application to forfeit all 119 properties including bracelets, rings, watches and cash to the Malaysian Government in accordance with Section 40(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
The judge also allowed a gazette to be issued to third parties who wanted to claim property including Hermes Birkin and Prada luxury handbags, several luxury vehicles and cash and the court fixed Sept 26 for the mention of the case.
Earlier, while applying for a light sentence, Muhammad Rafique asked the court to take into account his client who is now no longer working since being accused in 2016 and only relies on his family.
"For seven years, he only focused on attending the trial of his case and never failed to appear in court throughout the trial," said the lawyer and requested that the prison sentence and fine be suspended while the appeal is heard and decided at the High Court.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor (TPR) Farah Yasmin Salleh requested a deterrent sentence as a lesson to all levels of society, especially civil servants, so that they do not commit corruption offenses in the future.
"The accused did not even mention when applying for a reduced sentence that he had repented for the actions he had committed.
"What is disputed is the source of the money received. The misused funds should be for the development of sports and national athletes.
"The prosecution is asking for a prison sentence of between eight and 10 years which we consider appropriate because the trial of the case has also lasted for almost eight years," he said.
Otman, appeared calm throughout today's proceedings.
On 31 March 2016, Otman was charged with 32 charges of abuse of position and submitting false claims involving RM38.4 million at the National Sports Council Office, National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil here between 28 February 2012 to 18 November 2015.
For 17 offenses involving false claims, charges were brought in accordance with Section 18 (a) MACC 2009, while another 15 charges of misuse of position were made in accordance with Section 23(1) of the same act.
On 21 April 2016, Otman was charged with 64 charges of receiving money amounting to RM16,623,000 as a result of illegal activities into Maybank, RHB and CIMB Berhad accounts through checks between 7 March 2012 and 11 Dec 2015 at several different locations including RHB Bank Precinct 8 branch, Putrajaya; Menara Maybank Jalan Tun Perak and Maybank Jalan Raja.
The charge is presented in accordance with Section 4(1) (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001 which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years or can also be fined not less than five times the amount or value of the proceeds from illegal activities , if convicted.
The prosecution was also handled by TPR Norzilati Izhani Zainal, Haresh Prakash Somiah and Harris Ong Mohd Jeffery Ong.
-- BERNAMA
.jpg)
