Prominent businessman Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges involving the misuse of funds linked to the Maju Expressway (MEX II) extension project, after being accused of misappropriating hundreds of millions raised through a sukuk issuance.
At today’s court hearing, Abu Sahid, who is chairman of the Maju Group, was charged with four counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) amounting to RM313 million. The charges allege that he misused proceeds from a RM1.3 billion sukuk programme that had been earmarked to finance the MEX II project.
In addition, he faces 13 charges of money laundering involving RM39.2 million, which prosecutors allege were illegally transferred through various accounts and transactions tied to the highway project.
If convicted, the veteran corporate figure could face lengthy jail terms, fines, or both. Criminal breach of trust cases under Malaysian law carry heavy penalties, particularly when they involve large sums of public or investor funds.
The court set bail conditions while the case proceeds to trial. Prosecutors emphasised the seriousness of the alleged offences, noting that the funds were raised from investors under the promise of infrastructure development but were instead channelled elsewhere.
Abu Sahid, who is best known for leading major infrastructure ventures and previously controlling Maju Expressway, has been a key figure in Malaysia’s corporate and construction landscape for decades. His defence team has maintained that he will contest the charges vigorously and insisted that the funds in question were managed in line with corporate practices.
The MEX II project, first announced in the mid-2010s, was planned as an extension of the existing Maju Expressway to improve connectivity between Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, and the southern Klang Valley. However, the project has faced repeated delays and funding controversies.
