The RM1.1 million paid by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan for his offence of failing to declare his receipt of RM2 million from former premier Najib Abdul Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) was a penalty, explained the MACC.

The anti-corruption body clarified that the compound payment was a form for punitive action taken against individuals charged with money laundering.

“(It is also) a form of asset recovery under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla),” it said in a statement today.

The MACC noted that Ahmad had made several representations to...