SHAH ALAM: Former Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) deputy director Sabudin Mohd Salleh was in the dock for the second time today, this time to face money laundering charges involving more than RM1 million at the Sessions Court, here.
The 58-year-old, clad in a light green shirt and a pair of black slacks, was believed to have owned RM1,000,187 which were proceeds from money laundering activities in May last year.
He was slapped with three charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 before Sessions Court Judge Rozilah Salleh.
For the first charge, Sabudin was accused of using RM43,000 cash to buy a lorry from one Ong Sau Ming, who is the owner of Power Smart Truck Trading on May 1 last year at 32,Jalan PJU10/2, Taman Puchong Utama in the Petaling district.
For the second charge, Sabudin was charged with possessing RM663,017 cash believed to be proceeds from illegal activities at 1, Jalan UP3/6, Ukay Perdana 3, Ukay Perdana in Ampang, Hulu Langat on May 9,2019.
For the third charge, Sabudin was alleged to have RM294,170 cash in his possession on May 9,2019 at the office of Sasrestu Sdn Bhd,9125, Jalan Bandar 4, Taman Melawati in Gombak.
The offences are punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act which carries a jail term of less than 15 years and a fine of not more than five times the amount or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
Sabudin, who appeared calm and composed, said he understood all the charges.
He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Deputy public prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim had at first offered no bail.
“However, if the court deems it appropriate for a bail to be given, I ask that it must not be less than RM100,000 with two sureties. This is because these are non-bailable offences.
Although there are three charges under AMLATFPUAA, but it amounts to over RM1 million,” she said.
Sabudin’s counsel Aiman Abdul Rahman,however, said if the bail was set at above RM100,000, it will be a burden to his client.
“My client is 58-year-old and has worked in DBKL for 31 years and he provides for three of his children.
“My client had yesterday faced charges at the Kuala Lumpur High Court and a bail of RM120,000 was imposed, with the condition that his passport needs to be surrendered and he must report to the MACC every month.
“My client has surrendered his passport and he has been reporting to the Putrajaya MACC every month since last year. There is no reason for my client to abscond and he has given the fullest cooperation to the court,” said Aiman.
Rozilah said the bail offer proposed by Nik Haslinie was appropriate.
She fixed bail at RM100,000 with two sureties and ordered for Sabudin’s passport to be impounded.
She set Feb 20 for mention.