KUALA LUMPUR (July 8): The hearing of former deputy finance minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is facing charges of money laundering involving RM2 million and providing false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has been postponed as his legal team is applying to transfer the trial to the High Court from the Sessions Court.

Lead counsel for Ahmad, Hamidi Mohd Noh, told theedgemarkets.com that the trial — which was fixed for July 5 to 8, 12 to 15, and 26 to 29 this year — has been postponed due to the application to transfer the case to the High Court.

With this, Hamidi said that case management has been set at the High Court for July 13.

He also said that another case management to inform the Sessions Court of the progress of the application has been set for Aug 9.

Ahmad, 54, who is Pontian member of Parliament and also UMNO secretary-general, is charged with money laundering by not stating his real income after receiving RM2 million from then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that allegedly originated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd, in the Income Tax Return Form for the 2013 year of assessment.

By doing so, he is said to have violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

The former deputy minister allegedly committed the offence at the Inland Revenue Board, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim on April 30, 2014.

He is charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activity Act 2001 (AMLATFPUA) whereby if convicted, he stands to face a maximum RM5 million fine or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Ahmad is also charged with giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Principal Senior Assistant Superintendent Mohd Zairi Zainal about the former issuing a media conference statement at the Parliament between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.

This charge is framed under Section 32(8)(c) of the AMLATFPUA, which brings a maximum fine of RM3 million or a maximum jail term of five years or both if convicted.