Preacher, NGO secretary claim trial to RM13.8m CBT and money laundering charges

A 40-year-old religious leader, Abdullah Abdol Razak, appeared in the Sessions Court in Seremban today to face 34 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) related to more than RM13.8 million stolen from a non-governmental organisation. The preacher and board chairman of Pertubuhan Rezeki Infaq Malaysia pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allegedly took place at a bank in Seremban 2 between February 2023 and March 2026.

Additionally, Razak is accused of 17 counts of money laundering in connection with the same organisation, involving RM1.55 million allegedly laundered at the same bank between May 2024 and February 2026. Both sets of charges carry severe penalties: CBT under Section 409 of the Penal Code could result in a two to 20-year prison sentence, while money laundering under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 carries up to 15 years in jail and a fine of at least RM5 million.

His 30-year-old secretary, Noor Sahira Abdullah, was also charged separately with abetting the alleged offences. She pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of aiding and abetting Razak through online banking transfers and to 17 counts of money laundering. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib said the charges were non-bailable, but the prosecution offered bail at RM1 million with two sureties for Razak.

The court granted him bail at RM700,000, including RM300,000 in unsecured bail with two sureties, while permitting the passport surrender and witness protection requested by the prosecution. For Noor Sahira, Deputy Public Prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil proposed RM250,000 bail with two sureties, which was reduced to RM200,000 with two sureties by defence counsel Azrul Zulkifli Stork. Both cases have been scheduled for mention on September 28.