Celebrity Preacher Charged with RM13.85 Million CBT and Money Laundering in Seremban

SEREMBAN, Aug 26 — A celebrity preacher was charged at the Sessions Court today with 34 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM13.85 million in non-governmental organisation (NGO) funds and 17 counts of money laundering amounting to more than RM1.5 million.

Abdullah Abdol Razak, 40, chairman of Pertubuhan Rezeki Infaq Malaysia (PRIM), pleaded not guilty to all charges read out separately before Judge Datin M. Kunasundary.

According to the charge sheet, Abdullah, as chairman entrusted with control over PRIM’s funds, is alleged to have committed CBT by dishonestly approving payments totalling RM13.85 million without adhering to prescribed procedures. The act violated Clause 10 of the PRIM Constitution, which requires the approval of both the General Meeting and the organisation’s Committee for fund withdrawals or payments.

The alleged CBT offences occurred at a bank branch in Biz Avenue, Seremban 2, between Feb 28, 2023 and March 31, 2026. The charges were framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of two to 20 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

Regarding the money laundering charges, Abdullah is accused of transferring RM1.56 million in unlawful proceeds from his bank and company accounts to various third-party accounts for the purchase of gold between May 18, 2024 and Feb 24, 2026.

The money laundering charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the sum of unlawful proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib requested bail at RM1 million with two local sureties, alongside additional conditions requiring the surrender of Abdullah’s passport and a prohibition against interfering with prosecution witnesses.

Defence counsel Azrul Zulkifli Stork appealed for a lower bail of RM700,000, noting his client’s financial situation.

“He is a restaurant owner and influencer with an uncertain income. A bail of RM1 million is excessive, especially since all his accounts have been frozen,” Azrul said, adding that Abdullah supports 11 children and his mother.

Judge Kunasundary set bail at RM700,000 (including RM300,000 unsecured) with two local sureties and granted the prosecution’s requested additional conditions.

In the same court, PRIM secretary Noor Sahira Abdullah, 30, pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of abetting Abdullah in transferring the funds via online banking. Charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 409, she was granted bail of RM200,000 with two local sureties under identical additional conditions.

The court fixed Sept 28 for case mention for both accused.

-NMT