PAS' Nasharudin claims trial to 33 money laundering, CBT charges

Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa has claimed trial to three charges of money laundering and 30 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) amounting to almost RM4 million.

Nasharudin was charged with three counts of indirect involvement in money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (Amla) Act 2001.

He was accused of channelling the proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM302,069.60 to three recipients through a bank account belonging to his company, Wasatiyah Centre For Peace Sdn Bhd.

The funds were Finance Ministry allocations meant for the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), a non-governmental organisation.

The three Amla offences allegedly took place in November and December 2018, about four months after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ordered an end to GMM’s operations.

Nasharudin was appointed as the NGO’s executive chairperson on Oct 28, 2015, until its last day on July 31, 2018.

                             Read more: Nasharudin's 33 charges: Where the RM4m went

The 30 CBT charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code, meanwhile, allegedly took place between 2015 and 2018, involving RM3,721,683.80 in funds linked to Nasharudin's position as chairperson of Nassar Foundation and GMM CEO.

Entrusted with managing assets belonging to Nassar Foundation, Nasharudin was accused of, among others, dishonestly making payments of RM51,000 on Aug 22, 2016 as catering fees for his son's wedding catering; dishonestly making payments of RM25,756 on Feb 1, 2018, to a local private college for his son's tuition fees; and to offer a RM34,000 loan to his daughter.

He was also accused of dishonestly accepting RM321,274 in total as salaries for being Nassar Foundation's chairperson between 2015 and 2018.

He had also allegedly used over half a million ringgit of the foundation funds to purchase several shop lot units in Bandar Baru Bangi.

As GMM CEO, the former Bachok MP was accused of channelling RM2.6 million in research grants from the NGO to his own company, Wasatiyah Centre for Peace.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh offered bail at RM1 million for the Amla charges and RM500,000 for the CBT charges, with one surety.

He also argued for the judge to place public interest above the personal interest of the accused in deciding the final bail amount.

Lawyer Mat Yunus Shariff, representing Nasharudin, asked for a total bail of RM150,000 for all 33 charges.

Mat Yunus cited Nasharudin's cooperation with MACC investigations since January and said that all his personal bank accounts, as well as Nassar foundation's account, had been frozen.

"My client had all his accounts frozen and is unable to come up with that amount (RM1 million).

"We are asking if the court can set a lower bail and we are suggesting RM150,000 for all 33 charges," he said, adding that Nasharudin was surviving on a monthly pension of RM4,700, together with his wife's pension of RM3,469.

Shah Alam Sessions Court judge Rozilah Salleh later fixed bail at RM330,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to hand over his passport to the court.

The case is set for mention on Nov 28.