Businessman Nicky Liow Soon Hee faced 26 counts of money laundering under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on April 12, 2022 [1, 2, 3]. The charges were scheduled for trial between July and September 2023 [1, 4, 2, 3].

Liow’s lawyers submitted two representation letters seeking to compound the charges under Section 92 of AMLA, first on December 15, 2022, and again on April 6, 2023 [1, 5, 4, 2, 3]. After reviewing these, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) agreed to offer a compound, which Liow paid on May 29, 2023. This included a RM10 million compound payment, forfeiture of a RM647,366 bond, and forfeiture of seized assets [1, 5, 4, 2, 3].

Following payment, the prosecution withdrew all 26 money laundering charges against Liow under Section 92 of AMLA [1, 5, 4, 2, 3]. On June 15, 2023, the Shah Alam Sessions Court ordered Liow be discharged and acquitted of all charges [1, 5, 4, 2, 3].

The AGC said the decision was made with prosecutorial discretion under the Federal Constitution and applicable laws, based on evidence from investigations, without outside pressure or public sentiment. They stated, "Following the payment of the compound... the AGC withdrew the charges against Nicky." [4, 3]

Civil society groups criticized the lack of public explanation for the discharge not amounting to acquittal and called on the AGC to disclose the basis and timeline of the decision. One said, "The public was entitled to know why a RM36 million money-laundering prosecution was discontinued, rather than to learn of it, years later, only through a defence press conference." [1, 4, 2]

Each of the original 26 money laundering charges carries a maximum prison term of 15 years and a minimum fine of RM5 million under AMLA [1]. The trial had been set for 2023 but was resolved through the compound agreement and forfeiture arrangements.

The Shah Alam Sessions Court’s discharge and acquittal ruling on June 15, 2023 formally closed the case against Liow [1, 5, 4, 2, 3].