SEREMBAN, Aug 26 — A 40-year-old “religious influencer” claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to 34 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving more than RM13.8 million belonging to a non-governmental organisation.
Abdullah Abdol Razak, an independent preacher who served as chairman of Pertubuhan Rezeki Infaq Malaysia during the alleged offences, also pleaded not guilty before judge Kunasundary Marimuthu to 17 separate money laundering charges involving RM1.55 million, The Star reported.
The CBT offences were allegedly committed at a commercial bank in Seremban 2 between February 2023 and March 2026, while the money laundering offences allegedly took place at the same location between May 2024 and February 2026.
The CBT charges, framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, provide for a prison sentence of between two and 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
The money laundering charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) carry a jail term of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum of the illicit proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
The NGO’s secretary, 30-year-old Noor Sahira Abdullah, was separately charged with abetment under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 409. She claimed trial to all counts.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that while the offences were non-bailable, the prosecution would offer bail at RM1 million with two sureties for Abdullah, subject to additional conditions that he surrender his passport and refrain from tampering with prosecution witnesses.
Lead defence counsel Azrul Zulkifli Stork pleaded for a lower bail amount, arguing that the accused’s bank accounts had been frozen and that Abdullah, who runs a restaurant, needs to support his 11 children, wife, and elderly mother.
Kunasundary granted bail at RM700,000, comprising RM300,000 in unsecured bail with two sureties, while allowing the prosecution’s application for passport surrender and witness non-interference.
For Noor Sahira, Deputy Public Prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil proposed bail at RM250,000 with two sureties. Azruul appealed for a reduction, saying that she earns RM3,000 monthly and supports her five-month-old infant and parents. The court subsequently set her bail at RM200,000 with two sureties.
Both cases have been fixed for mention on Sept 28.
