Anger in Malaysia as Liow’s money-laundering charges dropped after US$2.4 million fine

Public outrage has erupted in Malaysia following the dropping of money-laundering charges against an alleged scam kingpin due to a US$2.4 million fine. Nicky Liow, also known as Liow Soon Hee, was cleared of 26 charges involving over 36 million ringgit. Authorities earlier believed he led a criminal organization dubbed the "Nicky Gang".

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) decided to offer a compound totalling 10 million ringgit after his lawyers filed a settlement request. The AGC stated that the decision was based on the overall evidence, and the evaluation and judgment of the prosecution. The fine included the forfeiture of a nearly 650,000 ringgit bond deposited by Liow and assets seized by authorities.

Liow was apprehended in 2022 after a year-long manhunt. He was linked to bogus mobile phone sales and a "Macau scam" operation that allegedly siphoned money from hundreds of victims. Back in the spotlight, Liow captured the attention of the public last week when an image of him in a photo-op with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim went viral. He was wearing the youth wing uniform of Anwar's ruling People's Justice Party in the photograph, but later admitted to being in the picture while denying party membership.

Liow's lawyers argued that the charges against him were not related to money laundering, but rather a failure to declare taxes. This was cleared after he paid 400,000 ringgit in outstanding taxes. The disclosure sparked a public outcry, with civil society groups demanding an explanation from the AGC. The groups, including electoral watchdog Bersih, Transparency International Malaysia and the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement, warned that the action reflected a pattern of high-profile corruption cases receiving discharges from prosecution.