PUTRAJAYA: The prosecution today withdrew its appeals to forfeit monies totalling RM21.7 million belonging to 11 entities and individuals, including Pekan Umno and the Johor Umno Liaison Committee, allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB) funds.
The others are from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, Jakel Trading, Barisan Nasional Johor Bahru division, Mediaedge CIA Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sarawak United People's Party, director for Strategic Engagement Media Sdn Bhd (Cense Media) Sim Sai Hoon, AGA Touch Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Persatuan Bekas Anggota Kemas Malaysia (Yayasan PBAKM) and former land and cooperative development minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar notified the Court of Appeal three-member Bench today that the prosecution has withdrawn its appeals against the eleven respondents.
The notice of discontinuance of the appeals was filed on Friday (Jan 27).
Kamal Bahrin also told the court that monies that were seized would be returned to the respondents.
Justice Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said, who presided with Justices Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Datuk Supang Lian, then struck out the appeals.
The prosecution was unsuccessful in the High Court to forfeit RM700,000 from Pekan Umno, RM100,000 from Yayasan PBAKM, RM628,314 from Jakel Trading, RM10,747,042.77 from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, RM677,872.55, from the Johor Umno Liaison Committee, and RM957,395.65 from Johor Bahru Barisan Nasional.
A separate High Court had also dismissed the prosecution's appeal to forfeit RM100,000 from Kasitah, RM3 million belonging to AGA Touch (M) Sdn Bhd, an IT firm, RM41,261.64 from Sim Sai Hoon, the director of the research firm Centre for Strategic Engagement Sdn Bhd, RM188,138.26 from Sarawak United People's Party and RM4,631,602 from Mediaedge CIA.