KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is the latest accused public figure who has been permitted by the court to temporarily take back his impounded passport so he can travel overseas.
High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin approved Muhammad Shafee’s application for the passport to be released from today until December 3 so he can fly to the United States and oversee his son’s enrolment into a tertiary education institution in New York, news portal Malaysiakini reported.
Shafee had surrendered his passport to the court as part of bail conditions in his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering involving RM9.5 million received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The judge allowed the application after deputy public prosecutor S. Nithia raised no objection.
“After hearing the applicant’s application and affidavit in support of the application, and having read the affidavit in support, submission and that the respondent has no objection against the application, I allow the application per the notice of motion,” Jamil was quoted as saying.
Malaysiakini reported that Shafee submitted documents in court that showed the purpose of his travel to New York from October 27 to November 30. In it, he was said to need his passport back today in order to make travel preparations.
Shafee reportedly cited the need to meet his son in New York who is to study at the “New School Parson” there.
The school is believed to refer to a private research university known as The New School founded in 1919 that has grown to house five divisions that includes the Parsons School of Design.
Lawyer Wee Yeong Kang represented Shafee during today’s hearing.
Shafee is facing two counts of money-laundering for receiving money derived from illegal activities amounting to RM9.5 million through two cheques issued by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak which were deposited into his CIMB Bank Berhad account.
He is also facing two charges of engaging in transactions resulting from illegal activities, namely submitting incorrect tax returns, and in violation of paragraph 113 (1) (a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for the financial years ended December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2014.
