JOHOR BAHRU, March 29 — Three men were charged in separate High Court here today with 899 counts of money laundering, involving RM1.7 billion.

However, all of them pleaded not guilty to the charges before judges Kamarudin Kamsun and Mohamad Khalid Ab Rahim.

Mohamed Thamimul Ansari, 41, faced 351 money laundering charges, involving RM791.5 million; Ramli Mohd Hassan, 59, with 196 charges, involving RM149.1 million, and Muhammad Razik Mohamed Riyaludin, 36, faced 352 charges, involving RM791.5 million.

They were alleged to have committed the offences in the city, here, between 2012 and 2016 by disposing, possessing, receiving and transferring proceeds from unlawful activities on behalf of an original sender to receivers in the country and overseas.

They were charged under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

They face a fine of not exceeding RM5 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Husmarudin Husin, while the three accused were represented by lawyer Mahendra Mahason.

Mohamed Thamimul and Muhammad Razik were allowed bail of RM4 million with two surety each, while bail for Ramli was set at RM2.8 million with two sureties.

They were also ordered to surrender their passport to the court.

The court also set May 8 for mention of their cases. — Bernama