The trial of a 43-year-old businessman who is facing 32 charges for allegedly laundering RM40.23mil will be heard on July 2 as police have requested for more time to file additional charges.

DPP Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim made the request before Sessions Court judge Sabariah Atan yesterday saying that Bukit Aman’s commercial crime division would be filing several more charges against Datuk Azli Abdul Rahman.

On March 14, Azli pleaded not guilty to 32 charges.

In the first five charges, Azli had allegedly transferred RM9,470,656.64 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd in Nilai to the account of Atfco Auto Sdn Bhd in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

He allegedly transferred the money between Dec 21 and Dec 23, 2004, on Feb 22, 2005 and June 7, 2005.

In the sixth to the 20th charge, he allegedly transferred RM3,664,237.30 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd to his personal account MBB505103106534 on Feb 28, March 29, June 10, June 17, July 14, Sept 12, Sept 29, Nov 14 (all 2005), Jan 16, Feb 8, March 17, June 14, July 31, Sept 14 and Oct 20 (all 2006).

The money is believed to have been earned through illegal activities.

In the 21st and 22nd charge, Azli had allegedly transferred RM8,948,675.10 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd to the account of PLC Credit & Factoring Sdn Bhd on June 10 and July 20, 2005.

In the 23rd to the 27th and the 30th charge, the accused allegedly used RM5,191,893.10 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd to pay for the purchase of RM1 coins from Bank Negara on Feb 7, March 31, June 13, Aug 3 and Nov 26 (all 2006).

On the 28th charge, he allegedly transferred RM12,475,197.97 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd to the account of Syarikat Royal Mint Malaysia Sdn Bhd on Oct 22, 2005.

On the 29th to the 32nd charge, he allegedly used RM42,789 from the account of Paradym Resource Sdn Bhd as part payment for the purchase of a BMW525i, Mercedes Benz CLK200 , Honda Accord, Mercedes Benz S320 on Sept 14, 2005, Oct 31, 2006, Aug 4, 2006 and Nov 15, 2005.

Azli was charged under section 4(1)(a) of the Anti Money Laundering Act 2001.

If found guilty, he can be fined up to RM5mil or jailed not more than five years or both.

The court ordered Azli to surrender his passport to the court. He was released on RM1mil bail.

Azli, who was represented by Md Yunos Shariff, was a picture of calm and was seen smiling after proceedings were adjourned.