A former real estate consultant had his freedom taken away after the Court of Appeal overturned his acquittal for corruption and money laundering charges involving RM35.7 million, which was granted by the High Court three years ago.
This comes after a three-member bench found that the prosecution had proved its case through circumstantial evidence when viewed cumulatively, reported FMT.
RM228mil fine & 10-year jail term
In delivering the broad grounds of judgement, Justice Zaini Mazlan said Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub’s argument that the money received was consultancy fees couldn’t be proven by any documentary evidence.
He also noted that Amir’s relationship with former Johor executive councillor Latif Bandi had relevance in establishing his role as an influence peddler.
As such, Amir was found guilty of 33 charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act for receiving bribes.
He was ordered by the bench to serve a concurrent 10-year jail term and fined him RM151,800,145 or seven years’ imprisonment in default.
Amir was also convicted of four money laundering charges, where each charge carried a five-year jail term. He was fined a total of RM75.9 million, or three years’ imprisonment in default.
This brings the total fine amount to close to RM228 million and Amir will sit at least 10 years in jail as the corruption and money laundering sentences will run concurrently.
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