KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): Nicky Liow Soon Hee has been granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for charges faced in court under the Anti Money-Laundering Act (AMLA), said his lawyer on Wednesday.

Prior to that, Liow also faced charges in court under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), but was later discharged and acquitted after providing a representation to court, according to lawyer Rajpal Singh at a press conference.

The 38-year-old first caught public attention in 2021 over alleged ties to organised crime. In 2022, Liow surrendered to the police to face 26 money laundering charges, according to reports.

Liow again made the news after photos of him wearing a PKR shirt alongside party president Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a party event circulated on social media.

PKR secretary general Datuk Fuziah Salleh has since clarified that Liow is not a party member, with no record of him having applied for membership.

“He was not here [during the Sosma case] but it was initially granted DNAA in the Putrajaya Sessions Court. After that we filed a review in the Shah Alam High Court. The High Court judge heard, and there was no solid evidence, he was discharged and acquitted,” Rajpal said.

Following that, the Attorney General’s Chambers lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, but this was retracted following a representation by Liow, the lawyer added.

According to Rajpal, Liow was not charged under AMLA due to scam activities, but rather, his failure to “provide adequate disclosure to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN)”.

“After that, he paid to LHDN outstanding sum of around RM400,000 and the case was dropped and granted DNAA. That’s the end of story.

“People say he is a fugitive, involved in Macau scam… these are not proven anywhere. So as his lawyer, I plead, please stop these false allegations against Liow Soon Hee,” he said.

“If he wants to take picture with PMX (Anwar), what’s wrong with that?” he added.