Bandar Seri Begawan - In a first case of its kind in Brunei Darussalam under the recently revised Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012, a 41-year-old Malaysian was charged before the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court for allegedly moving close to half-a-million in Brunei and Malaysian currency into the country.

DPP Ratno Eddy Sophin bin Hj Zaidi informed the court that the defendant was arrested by Marine Police on September 4, 2012 at about 3pm in the vicinity of Brunei River and was found in possession of a substantial amount of cash.

Senior Magistrate Hj Nabil Daraina PD Hj Badaruddin then remitted the case to be mentioned in the High Court.

Before Judge Dato Paduka Haji Hairol Arni in the High Court, the defendant Woo Klan Min, who hired lawyer Siva Sankaran, sought for release on bail.

The prosecution had asked for the defendant's remand for two weeks to assist in investigations and hold on to the seized cash of B$441,756 and RM150,000 for a month.

The prosecution was granted the application in order to facilitate police investigations into the case and secure the defendant from absconding or interfering with potential evidence.

The charge against the defendant alleged the defendant moved the money into the country from Lawas, Sarawak. Judge Dato Hairol Arni has fixed September 20 for further mention of the case.

Moving money in or out of the country which exceeds the prescribed amount of B$15,000 without prior notice is an offence under Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012, which carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding $50,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.