Latest news with #Anti-MoneyLaunderingAct
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Nurul Izzah: Fearless Rafizi will remain relevant
Taking over: Nurul Izzah paid tribute to Rafizi (right) for his ideas. — Photo taken from Nurul Izzah's Facebook PETALING JAYA: A 'fearless' Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli will continue to shape the country's future through meaningful ways even if he is not in the government, says Nurul Izzah Anwar. The new PKR deputy president, who beat Rafizi in the party election, said he was never afraid to confront those in power or to speak the truth. She said her predecessor's ideas and policies changed the country's discourse, especially in terms of governance, transparency and economic justice. 'I respect him. Many of his ideas will not be forgotten. Instead, they will be continued, refined and implemented, not because they came from him or me, but because they are best for Malaysia. 'This country needs bold ideas and steps, and I believe he has a lot more to contribute,' she said on her Facebook page yesterday. Her statement came after the Pandan MP announced his resignation from his Cabinet post as Economy Minister yesterday, Separately, Nurul Izzah spoke about how her focus remains on strengthening PKR. 'As part of the first step, we will introduce mandatory training specific for party leadership at central, state and branch levels on the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), corruption and tax compliance,' she said. Former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, who was sacked from Umno in 2023, had urged Rafizi not to quit despite his defeat. Rafizi, he said, had strong resilience and was still able to contribute ideas even without a key position. However, the former health minister acknowledged that Rafizi's situation was different from his own. Khairy, who challenged Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2018 and lost, said he had chosen to remain in the party after the defeat. 'When I was sacked, I had no choice. I had no issue with the party; I had merely offered myself for the presidency. 'My relationship with Zahid remained good. So, to Rafizi, keep fighting!' he told Sinar Harian during a visit to the Karangkraf Group Complex on Tuesday.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Philippines' dismissed mayor Alice Guo charged with 62 counts of money laundering
Alice Guo. - Photo: House of Representatives file MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed 62 counts of money laundering cases against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Guo, who is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail, is charged with 26 counts of violating Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) for conducting transactions involving monetary instruments or property derived from unlawful activity. She also faces five counts of violation of Section 4(b) of the same law for converting, transferring, acquiring, or using such instruments or property. Alice, together with her parents Jian Zhong Guo and Lin Wenyi and siblings Shiela and Seimen, and 26 others who are officials of companies involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) operations, are facing a case for violating section 4 (d) of the same law for conspiring to commit money laundering offenses. Based on the 48-page resolution issued by the DOJ panel of prosecutors early this year, the proceeds from the Pogo activities inside Baofu compound owned by Guo's real estate company were transferred to other legitimate businesses of the Guo family. Baofu had been the subject of three search warrants due to illegal activities being conducted by Hongsheng, a Pogo operator, such as online gambling, internet fraud, and other cybercrime operations. Following a raid conducted in 2023, authorities arrested over 300 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens. Another raid was conducted on March 13, 2024, against Zun Yuan, which took over Baofu operations after Hongsheng due to its alleged involvement in labour trafficking, cryptocurrency scams, love scams, and investment fraud. Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon confirmed that the case filed on Friday (May 23) before the Capas court was from the resolution released last January. 'Because the number of information (charge sheets) that had to be prepared and its attachments, it took a while to file,' he said. The money laundering case marks the eighth case filed against Guo, who is already facing charges of qualified trafficking in persons, civil forfeiture, graft, material misrepresentation, and falsification of public documents. Four additional cases are under preliminary investigation by the DOJ, covering alleged falsification by a notary public, perjury, and obstruction of justice, violations of the Anti-Dummy Law involving Pangasinan properties (two cases), qualified trafficking, and graft involving personnel of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
SSM defends beneficial ownership data restrictions, citing national security and privacy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has clarified that the decision to restrict public access to beneficial ownership (BO) data under newly enforced regulations was made in line with international best practices and national security interests. In a statement today, the commission said the move aimed to strike a balance between corporate transparency, personal data protection and the safeguarding of national interests. The Companies (Access to Register and Information Relating to Beneficial Ownership) Regulations 2025, which came into force on Jan 10, limit access to BO information to a defined group of users. These include the beneficial owner or their authorised representatives, enforcement agencies listed under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, reporting institutions involved in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, and the Finance Ministry for procurement-related matters. SSM said the regulations were introduced through the Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Act 2024, which came into effect on April 1 last year and Jan 31 this year, respectively. "These reforms were formulated following extensive public consultation and debate in Parliament. Malaysia's BO reporting framework is designed to balance transparency with the protection of personal data, national interests and security." The commission said Malaysia's approach is consistent with that of several Asean countries, including Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, as well as non-Asean nations such as China, Japan and South Korea, which similarly limit access to BO data to government or regulatory bodies. It added that in Europe, countries such as France, Germany and the Netherlands had also restricted public access to such data, following a 2022 ruling by the European Court of Justice which deemed unfettered access a serious breach of privacy and data protection rights. "These global developments signal a broader international shift towards re-evaluating the extent of public access to BO data. "To date, over 636,000 active companies, representing more than 92 per cent of registered entities in Malaysia, have complied with the new BO reporting requirements." SSM said similar access rules would soon be introduced for limited liability partnerships. It also warned that the new framework includes strict enforcement provisions, with individuals found guilty of knowingly providing false BO information facing up to 10 years' imprisonment, a RM3 million fine, or both. Institutions granted access to BO data are required to report any discrepancies with their records within 30 days or risk penalties. "SSM remains committed to transparency, good governance and accountability, while ensuring that personal data and national interests are safeguarded." It added that continued engagement with stakeholders is welcomed to further enhance Malaysia's corporate regulatory framework.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Muhyiddin wants High Court judge to hear seven charges of abuse of power, money-laundering
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's defence team informed the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (May 14) that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman had filed an application to have his seven cases transferred to the High Court here on April 4, reports Sinar Harian. During the case mention before Judge Azura Alwi, lawyer Tang Jia Wearn, representing Muhyiddin, 78, said the cases involve four charges of using his position for bribes amounting to RM232.5mil and three charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) involving RM200mil, the Malay language daily reported. The hearing for the application is set for June 16 before High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin. "Therefore, I request the court to set a case management date regarding the status of the application," he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Noralis Mat said that the prosecution had handed over the remaining list of witnesses for the AMLA cases to the defence. "We handed over the list this morning," she said, attending alongside Deputy Public Prosecutors Mahadi Jumaat and Wan Nur Iman Wan Ahmad Afzal. Judge Azura then set July 11 for case management to update on the application status. She also granted the defence's request to exempt Muhyiddin from attending the case management. In this proceeding, Muhyiddin was not present in court and was represented by his lawyer. On April 4, the Pagoh MP had filed an application to transfer the cases to the High Court, arguing that they involve complex legal questions and issues that could present extraordinary difficulties in law. According to documents sighted by Sinar Harian, the politician said that this is a public interest case that has garnered significant media attention both locally and internationally. Thus, he requested that the trial be conducted before an experienced High Court judge with the jurisdiction to hear public interest cases. He believed that transferring the seven cases to the High Court will not cause inconvenience or prejudice and argued that the transfer would facilitate all parties involved and not prejudice any party. On July 10, 2023, Muhyiddin withdrew his application to transfer his cases to the High Court after his side sent a withdrawal letter to the prosecution on July 5, 2023. In the withdrawal letter, Muhyiddin also applied to have the charges dismissed, stating that the transfer application would become academic if the dismissal was granted. Sinar Harian also reported that according to the first to fourth charges, the Pagoh MP is accused of using his position as a public official, namely the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Bersatu president, to solicit RM232.5mil from an individual, Azman Yusoff, 51, and three companies, Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, for the party's allies. For the fifth to seventh charges, Muhyiddin, as the party's president, is accused of receiving proceeds from illegal activities, amounting to RM200mil from Bukhary Equity, deposited into Bersatu's CIMB Bank and AmBank accounts. On Aug 15, 2023, Muhyiddin was acquitted and discharged from four charges of using his position for bribes after the High Court allowed his application to dismiss the case. Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin ruled that the four charges were vague and baseless as they did not specify the details of the offence committed. However, on Feb 28, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya ordered the four cases to be returned to the Sessions Court for further action. A three-judge panel, chaired by Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail, made the unanimous decision after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the High Court's decision to acquit Muhyiddin. Sitting alongside Justice Hadhariah were Justices Azmi Ariffin and SM Komathy Suppiah.
![[UPDATED] 'Baseless': MACC rejects claim it harassed Pamela Ling](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F75ABR_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1746601074.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] 'Baseless': MACC rejects claim it harassed Pamela Ling
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied allegations of harassment and misconduct against its officers in its probe involving Datin Seri Pamela Ling, describing the claims as "baseless". "The MACC has acted within the legal framework, including obtaining all necessary court orders and complying with established regulations," it said in a statement. MACC's statement comes after revelations that Ling, who has been missing for close to a month, had filed a judicial review just two days before her disappearance on 7 April. In her application, Ling alleged that MACC had, among others, misused its powers under the MACC Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act to exert pressure on her. She also claimed that MACC had pressured her to resolve a private dispute with her estranged husband, rather than for legitimate investigative purposes. Additionally, Ling claimed that MACC arrested and remanded her without a proper legal basis and in breach of due process. MACC, she claimed, also subjected her to a travel restriction without explanation. In its statement, MACC rejected these claims. "Allegations of harassment or misconduct are baseless," it said. MACC said Ling's judicial review application does not negate or invalidate the investigation into her. "Legal challenges are the right of any individual, but they do not disrupt the enforcement process as provided for under the law." MACC also said it had extended its "full cooperation" to the police investigating Ling's disappearance. Although reported missing since early April, news of Ling's disappearance only came to light last week. Police are investigating her disappearance as an abduction. "MACC urges all parties to refrain from speculation that could interfere with the investigation or create confusion among the public. "At this stage, our shared priority is to support the police in efforts to locate Ling and bring her back as swiftly as possible." Police have taken statements from 12 individuals, including MACC officers, in connection with Ling's disappearance. No ransom demand has been made. Previously, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki denied claims that the commission had failed to provide adequate protection to Ling before her disappearance.
