KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Former Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan claimed trial at the Sessions Court to two counts of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activity Act 2001 (AMLATFPUA).

He made the plea before Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad.

Ahmad, 54, is charged with not declaring to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) that the RM2 million via an AmBank Islamic cheque he received from former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak is from illegal proceeds.

He allegedly committed the offence at the IRB Federal Territory office on April 30, 2014 for his 2013 tax assessment.

If convicted under Section 4(1) of the AMLATFPUA, Ahmad could face a maximum of RM5 million fine, a maximum of five years in jail or both.

The former deputy minister, who is also Pontian Member of Parliament, also allegedly gave a false statement to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal that the money was from Najib, he had not seen a cheque of that amount, he neither knew about the cheque nor cashed it, and that he received the RM2 million.

He allegedly committed the offence at the Parliament press conference room on July 24 last year.

If convicted for this offence under Section 32(8) of the AMLATFPUA, the federal lawmaker faces a maximum fine of RM3 million, jail for a maximum of five years or both.

Many Umno leaders including party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki were in court to lend their support.

Also present were Umno Supreme Council members Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Tan Sri Noh Omar, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Datuk Lokman Noor Adam.

Justice Azman granted bail at RM500,000 with one surety and ordered Ahmad to surrender his passport.

The court also fixed Feb 21 for mention of the case.