‘I knew nothing about contractor fee scheme' – former Water Dept boss

Borneo Post

30-04-2025

KOTA KINABALU (April 30): A former director of the Sabah Water Department told a money laundering trial at a Sessions Court here today that he had no knowledge about an unofficial meeting alleging him of agreeing to contribution collections from contractors at about 27.5 percent from project costs at the contractors' respective divisions.
Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, 63, who was testifying before judge Abu Bakar Manat, said that what transpired in the said unofficial meeting was nothing to do with him.
Under examination-in-chief by his counsel Datuk Hj Ansari Abdullah, Ag Mohd Tahir, who opted to give sworn evidence, claimed that what was said in the unofficial meeting was a statement from Teo Chee Kong.
Ag Mohd Tahir, who was the first witness for his defence with his wife Fauziah Hj Piut, was responding to a question from Ansari in regards to a witness statement by 36th prosecution witness.
It was revealed in the prosecution stage trial that the 36th prosecution witness had testified among others that on April 7, 2005, the 36th prosecution witness confirmed Ag Mohd Tahir's attendance in a meeting with division and district engineers at a meeting room of the Sabah Water Department headquarters.
Recapping the 36th prosecution witness' evidence, the 36th prosecution witness had testified that after the said meeting with Ag Mohd Tahir, the 36th prosecution witness had attended the said unofficial meeting whereby the 36th prosecution witness claimed that only Teo and engineers from divisions and districts were there.
The 36th prosecution witness also had testified that in the said unofficial meeting Teo had allegedly told the engineers that Ag Mohd Tahir had allegedly agreed to the percentage of collection contributions from project costs.
When asked how was his work relationship with the 36th prosecution witness, Ag Mohd Tahir said that just normal as one of the staff at the said department.
Ag Mohd Tahir was on trial together with Fauziah, 58, and former deputy director of the Sabah Water Department, Lim Lam Beng @ Lim Chee Hong, 69.
Ag Mohd Tahir faces 11 charges while Fauziah faces 19 charges under under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Fauziah has another two joint charges with Ag Mohd Tahir under Section 4 (1)(b) of the same Act and Ag Mohd Tahir also has another charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the same Act.
The alleged offences against Ag Mohd Tahir and his spouse were allegedly committed at his office here, a house in Sembulan, at bank branches, at a condominium, in Sulaman and a tower in Kuala Lumpur between October 4 and November 4, 2016.
Lim was alleged to have committed the offences at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office at Jalan UMS and at a house here between October 13 and November 8, 2016.
Deputy public prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat and Haresh Prakash Somiah appeared for the prosecution.
Fauziah was represented by Ansari and together with Ansari, was counsel Erveana Ansari. As for Lim, he was defended by counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh and Kelvin Wong.
The trial will resume on June 25.