KUALA LUMPUR: Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, the stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to five charges of involvement in money-laundering activities to the tune of US$248 million (RM1.25 billion) allegedly misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The charges against Riza come in the wake of the charges brought against his mother, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Najib over alleged misappropriation of 1MDB funds.
Riza, 42, better known as Riza Aziz, was allowed bail of RM1 million in two sureties of Malaysian citizens by Judge Rozina Ayob who ordered for the bail to be posted yesterday and Riza, the owner of Red Granite Pictures, to hand over to the court all his passports pending settlement of the case.
The court set Aug 9 for mention for the submission of
documents.
Earlier, Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, the former Federal Court judge appointed as a senior DPP, proposed bail of RM1 million in two sureties of Malaysian citizens and suggested that Riza be ordered to hand over all his passports as a condition of guarantee. Sri Ram was assisted by DPP Ahmad Akram Gharib.
Riza’s counsel Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh did not object to the bail sum but another of his counsel, Datuk K Kumaraendran, applied for the bail to be paid in instalments — RM500,000 yesterday and the remainder next Monday or Tuesday.
He also told the court that his client’s passports are no longer valid because the Immigration Department has imposed a travel restriction on him.
“I have no valid passport,” Riza said when questioned by Judge Rozina who then said that Riza still had time to post the whole bail sum as the relevant counter will only close at 4.30pm.
After all the charges were read out by the court interpreter, Riza, who looked calm, said, “Understand the charges, plead not guilty and claim trial”. – Bernama
