After Full Acquittal Legal Expert Confirms Musa Aman Cannot Be Charged Over Same Offences Ever Again

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Syahredzan confirmed the ruling meant a permanent end to the prosecution of the nearly four dozen charges. — Picture by Zuraneeza ZulkifliKUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman’s full discharge of 46 money laundering and corruption charges today meant he cannot be prosecuted anew over the same alleged offences, said lawyer Syahredzan Johan
Responding to a question about the legal implications of today’s High Court decision, the aide to DAP’s Lim Kit Siang confirmed the ruling meant a permanent end to the prosecution of the nearly four dozen charges
“Yes, (Musa) cannot be charged again. Not even with new evidence,” Syahredzan said in reply to a question on Twitter
This morning, High Court judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin granted Musa a full discharge and acquittal after deputy public prosecutor Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid informed the court that the Attorney General’s Chambers was withdrawing all charges against the Umno leader
This is the second high-profile discharge of personalities linked to the previous Barisan Nasional administration since the new Perikatan Nasional government was installed in March
Last month, Riza Shahriz Abd Aziz — the stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak — was conditionally discharged of laundering over US$248 million (RM1.08 billion) in funds linked to the 1MDB scandal
Musa was charged in 2019 with 30 counts of bribery involving US$63 million and 16 counts of money laundering
The bribes were allegedly inducement to give timber concessions contracts to 16 companies
The charges were proffered under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 that carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction
The money laundering charges related to US$37.8 million and US$2.5 million he was accused of committing more than 10 years ago
The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison as well as a fine of no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds or RM5 million — whichever is higher — upon conviction. - malaymail

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