KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — A total of 45 documents, including recorded conversations and bank account statements, have been handed over to the defence in the money laundering case involving former Army Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife, Salwani Anuar.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the Sessions Court today that the documents were submitted in accordance with Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code, with three more sets expected to be handed over in stages within the next one to two months.

Lawyers Aizul Rohan Anuar and Fahmi Abd Moin, representing the couple, confirmed receipt of the documents, while Judge Azura Alwi fixed June 25 for the next case mention.

Also appearing for the prosecution in the case are deputy public prosecutors Farah Yasmin Salleh and Natrah Fareha Rahmat.

On January 22, Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 58, was charged at the Sessions Court here on four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM969,000, RM474,850, RM488,550 and RM190,000, which were deposited into three bank accounts belonging to him.

All the offences were allegedly committed at three banks, involving three different locations, namely at Jalan Melaka, Bukit Damansara and the city centre here, between February 2 2024 and November 7 2025.

On the same date, Salwani, 27, was charged with four counts of receiving money from unlawful activities amounting to RM50,000, RM7,000, RM10,000 and RM10,000, which were deposited into a company bank account at a bank branch in Damansara Heights, Wisma UOA II here, between November 24, 2024, and November 25, 2025.

On January 23, Muhammad Hafizuddeain was charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on two counts of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, namely RM115,000 and RM30,000 deposited into his bank account at a bank branch in Ampang Point, Ampang, between February 2, 2024 and May 19, 2025.

Salwani was also charged at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on January 26 on a charge of receiving RM5,000, which was alleged proceeds from unlawful activities deposited into her bank account at a bank branch in Jertih near Besut, on January 16, 2025.

All charges were brought under Subsection 4(1) (b) of the AMLATFPUAA and are punishable under Subsection 4 (1) of the same act. However, the cases faced by the couple in the Shah Alam and Kuala Terengganu Sessions Courts have been transferred to the Sessions Court here to be tried together. — Bernama

Two Hong Kong women convicted of money laundering have been jailed for over three years for transporting over HK$280 million cash from mainland China to Hong Kong between 2018 and 2019.

Luo Xiaoping was sentenced to four years and ten months at the District Court, while Xiang Yurong was jailed for three years, local media reported.

The two were convicted after a trial, in which they pleaded not guilty to a total of four counts of money laundering.

Luo was accused of bringing cash through border checkpoints, with over 100 instances during which she carried more than HK$1 million per trip, the court heard. She was accused of smuggling around HK$270 million cash.

Xiang brought money into Hong Kong an average of 10 times per month during the period of the offence, carrying around 200,000 to 300,000 RMB each time. She transported cash to Hong Kong as many as three times in a single day.

In total, the two of them handled over HK$280 million of illicit cash, the court heard.

District Court Deputy Judge Lily Wong said she accepted the fact that Xiang and Luo were just “mules,” but their offence inevitably brought a negative impact on Hong Kong and mainland China’s financial systems.

The two were arrested in September 2019, but were only charged in April 2023.

The defense argued that there was a delay in prosecution. They said that customs officers could have stopped Luo much earlier, yet they only took action after she had successfully transported cash into Hong Kong numerous times.

However, Judge Wong disagreed with this argument, describing Luo as “acting with a gambler’s mindset” and committing the crimes out of pure greed, Ming Pao reported.

According to the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence,” or “money laundering,” is punishable by a maximum penalty up to 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said in a statement on Thursday that this is the first money laundering conviction involving travellers transporting large amount of cash-related items across the border since the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance came into effect in July 2018.

Under the ordinance, anyone carrying over HK$120,000 in cash into Hong Kong must declare the sum to customs officers.

SINGAPORE: A 57-year-old Malaysian man has lost nearly S$400,000 after Singapore authorities traced the money to illegal activities and seized it at Tuas Checkpoint.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Diong Gin Ing was convicted on Mar 26, 2026. He pleaded guilty to possessing benefits derived from criminal conduct and to making an inaccurate cash declaration upon entering Singapore. He was sentenced to 10 months and 3 days in jail.

On April 16, the court approved the prosecution’s request to forfeit the entire sum to the state.

Cash found during a joint operation

The case dates back to May 23, 2025, when officers from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were conducting a joint operation.

Diong was stopped at Tuas Checkpoint. Officers found S$398,775 and RM1,621 (S$523) in a bag inside his car boot. He failed to declare the amount accurately and couldn’t explain where the money came from.

The cash was seized on suspicion of being linked to criminal activity.

Cash linked to illegal betting and loans

Further investigations showed the money came from commissions earned as a runner for illegal betting and unlicensed moneylending operations in Malaysia.

Ms Peggy Pao, Director of the Commercial Affairs Department, said the case shows how Singapore’s system detects and intercepts suspicious cash movements. She added that authorities will act firmly to strip criminals of gains linked to unlawful activities.

Strict declaration rules remain in force

Singapore requires travellers to declare any physical currency or bearer instruments above S$20,000 when entering or leaving the country. Failing to declare, or declaring inaccurately, is an offence. It carries penalties of up to S$50,000 in fines, up to three years’ jail, or both. The money involved may also be confiscated.

Singapore prevents illegal money from moving through the country

This case demonstrates how Singapore treats undeclared cash as a serious risk rather than a minor oversight. It is about tracing the source of funds and preventing illegal money from moving through the country.

For travellers, the message is that large sums must be declared and explained. If the source cannot be accounted for, the money will not stay with you. Clear declarations and honest accounts aren’t optional.

This article (Malaysian man jailed and loses S$400K after Tuas checkpoint undeclared cash seizure in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.