TAWAU: A 31-year-old housewife claimed trial in the Tawau Sessions Court on Thursday to five counts of money laundering involving over RM1.3 million allegedly linked to illegal activities from a used gold investment scheme.
Norhafiza Abbas pleaded not guilty to all charges read before Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya, with the alleged offences committed through her company account, Abbas Family Enterprise, at Maybank Islamic Berhad between May and July 2023.
She was accused of receiving multiple transfers totalling RM1,312,323.50 from Zerina Collection Sdn Bhd’s bank accounts, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Afendi appeared for the prosecution, while Norhafiza, unrepresented, broke down in tears as she pleaded for a lower bail, citing financial hardship and her two children’s heart conditions.
The court set case mention for December 2 and allowed bail at RM5,000 for each charge with one local surety after the accused said her bank accounts had been frozen since 2023.
