The prosecution will call witnesses and tender documents to show former Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad allegedly failed to report to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) that he received RM1 million from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court heard this from the prosecution’s opening statement on the first day of the money laundering trial against Shahrir today.
Deputy public prosecutor Afif Ali said they would present documentary evidence and call witnesses before the court to prove their case against the former Johor Bahru MP.
Afif contended that the accused did not report receiving the RM1 million to the IRB in 2013.
“There are oral testimonies from prosecution witnesses and documentary testimonies to prove that the accused obtained income of RM1 million – that was deposited in Public Bank Islamic account number 3810549101 owned by the accused – from Najib Abdul Razak via an AmIslamic Bank Berhad cheque dated Nov 27, 2013 with cheque number 000089.
“There is also evidence that the accused did not report the actual income via Income Tax Filing for the assessment year 2013 and this proved that the accused was involved directly in transactions involving proceeds from unlawful activity,” Afif contended.
Shahrir was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla), with receiving money linked to 1MDB.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of jail time up to five years or a fine of up to RM5 million, or both, upon conviction.
A total of 19 witnesses are expected to testify in the trial.
Shahrir, 72, was initially charged at the sessions court. However, he successfully applied for his case to be transferred to the High Court.
The trial before Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin continues on Wednesday (July 26).