Kuala lumpur: The RM145.5 million criminal breach of trust (CBT) case involving Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd director Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed in connection with the MEX II Highway project has been transferred from the Shah Alam Sessions Court to the Sessions Court here for a joint trial. Judge Suzana Hussin agreed to the case transfer after Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that the prosecution had obtained the required approval.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, on September 8, the accused faced four CBT charges in the Kuala Lumpur court. During the latest court session, the prosecution applied for another CBT case filed on September 24 in Shah Alam to be transferred for a joint trial. Defence counsel Datuk Jasbeer Singh, representing Abu Sahid, did not object to the application. During the proceedings, the charges were read out again to Abu Sahid, who maintained his not guilty plea.
The court decided to maintain the existing bail amount of RM1.5 million with one surety and set January 8, 2026, for the case mention. For the five CBT charges, Abu Sahid, as the director of Maju Holdings and entrusted with control over the company's funds, is accused of dishonestly misusing over RM458.5 million held in bank accounts in Taman Tunku and Taman Serdang Perdana between May 3, 2016, and October 21, 2019. The charges are framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
In addition to the CBT charges, Abu Sahid faces 10 counts of transferring proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM116,449,536.12 from his bank account to five individuals and four construction companies. For another three money laundering charges, he is accused of disposing of RM22,802,612.86 in illicit funds withdrawn via 15 cheques from the same bank account between May 4, 2016, and September 19, 2018. The offences fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), which provides for a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine of up to five times the amount involved upon conviction.