The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today allowed the application of Umno legal adviser Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun who is facing two charges of money laundering amounting to RM15 million to change his guarantor.
Hafarizam, who has acted for former prime minister and Umno president Najib Razak in several civil cases, was allowed bail at RM500,000 in one surety.
Both charges were made under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities 2001 which can be sentenced under Section 4(1) of the same act.
If found guilty, Hafarizam could be jailed up to 15 years and fined up to five times the amount involved in the money-laundering activities.
Judge Azman Ahmad allowed the application after hearing the application by counsel Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican who is representing Hafarizam when the case was set for re-mention.
Hasnal told the court that his client applied to change his surety in the case as Aisha Mubarak is no longer a partner of the firm.
“Aisha has no relationship with the firm after her departure.
“In this regard, to create a nexus we apply to replace Aisha with Noor Arlisma Zainul Ariff,” Hasnal said.
Aisha, a former senior partner at Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak, recently left the firm. Arlisma, meanwhile, is listed as a partner of the firm.
The court later allowed the application for the surety to be replaced under the same terms and sum for bail.
Arlisma, who was present today, said she understood the duty of a bailor when asked by Azman.
At the same time, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ishak Mohd Yusoff applied to the court for a one-month period for both sides to hold a pre-trial conference (PTC) to discuss matters arising.
The court set April 24 for re-mention after the application was not opposed by the defendant.