KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has dropped its appeal over the acquittal of lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah of all charges under Section 4(1) of AMLA (Act 613).
Shafee & Co in a statement on behalf of Shafee said the appeal before the Court of Appeal is deemed dismissed under Rule 73 of the Rules of the Court of Appeal 1994.
"The decision by the Attorney General/Public Prosecutor is not only an exercise of discretion without fear of favour but underpins the unimpeachable nature of the High Court decision.
"The learned judge, in a comprehensive assessment, determined that there existed no element of a predicate offence (i.e., illegal activity) to substantiate charges of money laundering.
This led to the acquittal of Tan Sri Muhamad Shafee on all charges without even requiring his defence to be called," it said.
Previously, it was reported that the prosecution is appealing against senior lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's acquittal of RM9.5 million in money laundering and income tax charges.
Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz when contacted by media confirmed the notice was filed on Tuesday (Nov 1) following High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin's decision last Friday (Oct 28).
The senior lawyer was freed from two counts of money laundering related to a RM9.5 million payment he received from former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Muhammad Jamil also acquitted and discharged him from making false declarations to the Inland Revenue Board for not including the RM9.5 million in his tax filing, for the years 2013 and 2014.
"Muhammad Jamil in his decision said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Shafee.
Afzainizam prosecuted the case while Shafee was represented by counsels Harvinderjit Singh, Farhan Read and his son Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee.