SHAH ALAM, July 3 — A former kindergarten teacher pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to three counts of money laundering involving RM133,550 in cash and gold jewellery allegedly linked to a scheme promising to facilitate a child’s relocation to New Zealand last year.

A. Venmani, 50, entered the plea after the charges were read out before Judge Datin Fatimah Zahari.

According to the charges, Venmani is accused of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities in three separate transactions involving RM83,550, RM50,000, two gold chains and a gold pendant from a 39-year-old local woman.

The complainant had allegedly entrusted the accused with facilitating her child’s relocation to New Zealand for a better and more secure future.

The offences were allegedly committed at bank branches in Bandar Baru Rawang and Kota Kemuning, as well as at a jewellery shop in Sri Muda, Shah Alam, between January and February last year.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the proceeds of the unlawful activity or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Ahmad Hakim Wan Ahmad Jaafar proposed bail of RM30,000 for each charge, along with additional conditions requiring the accused to surrender her passport, report to the nearest police station once a month and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.

Counsel Farith Emier Farhan Morni appealed for a lower bail, informing the court that his client had recently lost her job and was also supporting her ailing mother.

“The accused was previously charged in another court and granted bail totalling RM30,000. I have been informed that her savings have been exhausted and she now depends on financial assistance from family members,” he said.

The court allowed bail of RM15,000 with all the additional conditions requested by the prosecution and fixed Aug 10 for mention. — Bernama