PUTRAJAYA: The compound slapped on Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan is a punitive action and is part of an asset recovery effort under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

       The MACC explained that the Pontian MP had been offered the compound in October 2019.

       "However, he had chosen to be tried in court. Ahmad was then charged under Sections 4(1) and 32(8) (c) of the Act on January 20, 2020.

       "During the trial, he had submitted a representation and went on to agree to pay the compound," the MACC said in a statement Wednesday (Sept 29).

       The MACC was commenting on the High Court’s decision to acquit Ahmad of his two criminal charges involving money laundering and giving a false statement to the MACC.

       High Court judge Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh made the order of a discharge and acquittal here on Wednesday (Sept 29) after the court was informed that the prosecution was withdrawing its case against the Pontian MP.

       According to a media statement issued by law firm Messrs Shahrul Hamidi & Haziq, Ahmad had paid RM1.1mil as agreed by the prosecution and the defence.

       Ahmad was accused of violating Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2mil he received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013.

       He was alleged to have received the money, believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, via a check from AmIslamic Bank Berhad dated November 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.

       The offence was allegedly committed at the IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 30, 2014.