KUALA LUMPUR – What did the trio associated with Aman Palestin Bhd allegedly buy with funds misappropriated from the non-governmental organisation (NGO)?
Yesterday, two of the individuals, Aman Palestin executive director Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, 58 and chief executive officer Awang Suffian Awang Piut, 52, were slapped with 161 identical charges involving RM39.53 million.
The pair, who were charged in their capacity as Samudra Champa Sdn Bhd directors, claimed trial to the charges against them.
Khairudin Mohd Ali, 49, another director in the company, similarly pleaded not guilty to three counts of money laundering offences amounting to RM6.03 million.
As the public awaits for the court proceedings to resume on March 13, Scoop takes a look at the list of items involved in the case.
RM39 mil for 131kg of gold
Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian have been jointly charged with 19 counts of cheating for allegedly marking up the prices of gold bars sold to Aman Palestin by RM5.75 million.
The duo are accused of fraudulently deceiving Aman Palestin’s board of trustees into surrendering cash to Samudra Champa to purchase gold at a higher price than their actual value.
– On September 24, 2021: RM500,000 for 2,000g of gold (actual price RM474,067)
– On September 28, 2021: RM1 million for 4,000g of gold (actual price RM947,851)
– On September 29, 2021: RM1 million for 4,000g of gold (actual price RM940,356)
– On September 30, 2021: RM1 million for 4,000g of gold (actual price RM938,680)
– On October 4, 2021: RM1 million for 4,000g of gold (actual price RM950,682)
– On October 18, 2021: RM3 million for 9,000g of gold (actual price RM2.215 million)
– On December 30, 2021: RM4 million for 12,000g of gold (actual price RM2.931 million)
– On May 12, 2022: RM2 million for 7,000g of gold (actual price RM1.844 million)
– On May 23, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.630 million)
– On June 14, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.611 million)
– On June 27, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.615 million)
– On September 23, 2022: RM1.5 million for 5,000g of gold (actual price RM1.235 million)
– On October 4, 2022: RM1.5 million for 5,000g of gold (actual price RM1.251 million)
– On October 11, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.522 million)
– On November 8, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.562 million)
– On November 25, 2022: RM3 million for 10,000g of gold (actual price RM2.532 million)
– On February 15, 2023: RM1.5 million for 5,000g of gold (actual price RM1.301 million)
– On June 8, 2023: RM1.5 million for 5,000g of gold (actual price RM1.453 million)
– On July 14, 2023: RM1.5 million for 5,000g of gold (actual price RM1.439 million)
52 CBT charges
For the 52 criminal breach of trust charges framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian had allegedly committed the offences at the same Maybank branch in Bandar Baru Bangi.
If found guilty of the offence, the duo face an imprisonment term of not less than two years and up to 20 years, caning and a potential fine.
– On March 12, 2018: RM1,000
– On May 31, 2018: RM500,000
– On June 1, 2018: RM500,000
– On August 9, 2018: RM500,000
– On August 28, 2018: RM500,000
– On August 30, 2018: RM217,000
– On September 25, 2018: RM500,000
– On February 26, 2019: RM88,498.80
– On March 19, 2019: RM100,000
– On April 27, 2019: RM150,000
– On May 13, 2019: RM400,000
– On May 29, 2019: RM500,000
– On May 29, 2019: RM500,000
– On May 30, 2019: RM500,000
– On September 4, 2019: RM300,000
– On October 2, 2019: RM300,000
– On October 16, 2019: RM250,000
– On October 16, 2019: RM250,000
– On November 6, 2019: RM500,000
– On December 31, 2019: RM500,000
– On January 1, 2020: RM500,000
– On April 26, 2020: RM200,000
– On June 4, 2020: RM300,000
– On July 14, 2020: RM300,000
– On August 14, 2020: RM300,000
– On September 9, 2020: RM250,000
– On October 23, 2020: RM200,000
– On November 26, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 17, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 21, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 21, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 23, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 23, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 24, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 27, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 27, 2020: RM500,000
– On December 29, 2020: RM500,000
– On October 4, 2021: RM500,000
– On October 4, 2021: RM500,000
– On May 12, 2022: RM1 million
– On December 30, 2022: RM340,000
– On January 9, 2023: RM200,000
– On January 27, 2023: RM300,000
– On April 3, 2023: RM200,000
– On July 10, 2023: RM500,000
– On August 8, 2023: RM500,000
– On August 8, 2023: RM500,000
– On September 1, 2023: RM500,000
– On September 13, 2023: RM500,000
– On September 13, 2023: RM500,000
– On November 3, 2023: RM500,000
– On November 3, 2023: RM500,000
Almost RM13 mil and 19 money laundering charges
For the 19 money laundering charges framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001, Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian are accused of using proceeds from illegal activities to purchase land, properties and a luxury vehicle on behalf of Samudra Champa.
– Between June 1 and September 24, 2018 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM1.162 million for a semi-detached house in Tropicana Height, Kajang
– Between January 17, 2019 and February 11, 2019 at CIMB, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: RM463,000 for a three-storey shophouse in Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh
– On November 12, 2018 at RHB Islamic Bank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM300,000 for a three-storey shophouse in Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh
– On November 12, 2018 at Bank Muamalat, Kajang: RM317,000 for a three-storey shophouse in Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh
– Between December 26, 2019 and August 29, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM95,000 for a plot of land in Mukim Rasa, Hulu Selangor
– Between December 26, 2019 and August 29, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM95,000 for a plot of land in Mukim Rasa, Hulu Selangor
– On November 22, 2018 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM135,000 for a plot of land in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor
– On November 22, 2018 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM135,000 for another plot of land in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor
– Between June 21, 2019 and April 20, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM167,650 for a plot of land in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor
– Between June 21, 2019 and April 20, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM167,550 for another plot of land in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor
– Between February 18, 2020 and June 4, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM360,000 for a plot of land in Institut Tahfiz Saba, Kuala Kubu Bharu/Kerling, Hulu Selangor
– Between February 18, 2020 and June 4, 2020 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM280,000 for a plot of land in Mukim Kerling, Hulu Selangor
– Between February 28, 2019 and July 12, 2019 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM809,210 for a plot of land in Mukim Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor
– On August 19, 2021 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM1.099 million to buy a plot of land in Mukim Kerling, Hulu Selangor
– Between June 3, 2022 and August 12, 2022 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM673,016.30 for a double-storey shoplot in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat
– Between September 23, 2022 and February 3, 2023 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM1.95 million for a three-storey shophouse in Alamesra Plaza Permai, Kota Kinabalu
– Between December 21, 2022 and May 3, 2023 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM3.415 million for a semi-detached factory with office in Suntrack Industrial Hub, Bandar Baru Bangi
– Between January 6, 2021 and October 7, 2021 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM708,000 for a double-storey shophouse in Tunku Syed Putra, Perlis
– On March 29, 2021 at Maybank, Bandar Baru Bangi: RM381,056.93 for a Toyota Vellfire 2.5 AT
Khairudin’s three money laundering charges
Khairudin is accused of utilising proceeds from illegal activities to purchase properties and land on behalf of Samudra Champa at the same Maybank branch in Bandar Baru Bangi.
The charges carry the same punishment as the money laundering charges against Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian.
– Between June 3, 2022 and August 12, 2022: RM673,016.30 for a double-storey shoplot in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat (same address as the one mentioned in Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian’s charge)
– Between September 23, 2022 and February 3, 2023: RM1.95 million for a three-storey shophouse in Alamesra Plaza Permai, Kota Kinabalu (same address as the one mentioned in Abdullah Zaik and Awang Suffian’s charge)
– Between December 21, 2022 and May 3, 2023: RM3.415 million for a semi-detached factory with office in Suntrack Industrial Hub, Bandar Baru Bangi (same as the one mentioned in Abdullah Zaik and Awang’s charge). – February 16, 2024