00:00The Attorney General's Chambers has clarified that businessman Nicky Liao's 26 money laundering charges were withdrawn in 2023 after he
00:09paid a 10 million ringgit compound.
00:11According to the AGC, Liao's lawyers had submitted representations seeking to compound all 26 charges under the anti-money laundering
00:20law.
00:20The AGC agreed to offer the 10 million ringgit compound after assessing the available evidence, with Liao paying the sum
00:28on May 29, 2023.
00:30The settlement also included the forfeiture of 647,366 ringgit in bonds and other seized assets.
00:39The clarification followed questions from 30 civil society organizations over why Liao was granted a discharge not amounting to an
00:47acquittal.
00:47Liao had been charged in April 2022 with 26 counts of money laundering involving 36 million ringgit after previously going
00:56into hiding during a police crackdown on his alleged gang over Macau scam activities.
01:01The AGC maintained that Liao was never released without legal action being taken and that the decision was made under
01:07the Attorney General's constitutional powers without external pressure or public sentiment.
01:12Jessalyn Kaur, FMT.
Comments