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Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-Sabah water dept director claims millions in cash were business profits
Former Sabah water department director Ag Tahir Ag Talib and two others are on trial for money laundering. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former director of the Sabah water department told the Kota Kinabalu sessions court today the large sum of cash allegedly discovered by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission came from profits earned through business ventures with his partners. Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib, 63, named three business partners, including his brother, who were contractors involved in the ventures, reported The Borneo Post. Tahir said he had provided capital for these ventures from his personal savings, though he could not recall the exact amounts, as the arrangements dated back many years. He said the agreements were made orally and not in writing. He also said the cash included not only the business profits, but also his salary. Taking the stand as the first defence witness, Tahir read aloud his 155-page written statement in open court. Under examination-in-chief, he claimed to have received substantial profits from his partners – RM5 million, RM30 million and RM12 million, respectively – all in cash. He said he 'roughly counted' the money he received. He also said the luxury vehicles and other items allegedly found in his possession were purchased using his salary and business profits. Tahir is on trial with his wife, Fauziah Piut, 58, and the department's former deputy director, Lim Lam Beng @ Lim Chee Hong, 69. They pleaded not guilty in 2019 to 37 counts of money laundering involving RM61.57 million and the unlawful possession of luxury items. Tahir faces 11 charges, and Fauziah 19 under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The couple is jointly charged on two counts while Tahir faces one other charge. They are alleged to have committed the offences at an office in Kota Kinabalu, a house in Sembulan, at several bank branches, and a condominium in Sulaman, all in Sabah, as well as in Kuala Lumpur between Oct 4 and Nov 4, 2016. Lim, who faces four charges, is alleged to have been in possession of cash amounting to RM2.38 million between Oct 13 and Nov 8, 2016. The trial before judge Abu Bakar Manat continues tomorrow.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ex-Sabah Water director tells court he never forced contractors to make 'contributions'
KOTA KINABALU: A former Sabah Water director denied involvement in forcing contractors to make monetary contributions to the department upon receiving contracts. Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib said the witness statement by his former deputy Teo Chee Kong that he had consented to the "centralised collection system", a commission paid to department top posts and the then Sabah works minister, were baseless. "I was not involved in the centralised collection system mentioned, and in fact, it existed as early as 1989, as stated by Teo Chee Kong in his witness testimony. "I knew nothing about the matter. What I knew was only what Teo had informed me, and even then, he did not elaborate much. "I had no knowledge of how the commissions were divided or who the other recipients were," said the 63-year-old in his 155-page written witness statement. Ag Tahir, who became the director in 2003, was testifying before Sessions Court judge Abu Bakar Manat in the continuation of his defence trial today. Also on trial are his wife, Fauziah Piut, 60, and former deputy director, Lim Lam Beng, 66. Teo became deputy director after Lim's retirement. The trio are jointly facing 37 charges of money laundering involving cash and bank savings totalling RM61.57 million, as well as the unlawful possession of luxury items between October and November 2016. Despite not knowing much of the details, Ag Tahir said that he was unable to put an end to the practice as it would have endangered his safety, claiming that it involved gangster groups. He also said despite being a deputy director, Teo had stronger connections, including ministers, and even up to the level of the chief minister's office. Ag Tahir further denied claims made by Teo that a 1.5 per cent allocation to the minister, the permanent secretary, and staff of the Infrastructure Development Ministry was a goodwill payment meant to build rapport. Meanwhile, responding to the witness statement of Michael Wong, the prosecution's 35th witness, Ag Tahir denied receiving any commission from Teo. Although he was aware that Wong owned multiple companies, he stated he did not know which specific company was involved in projects under the Water Department. He also denied there was any commission that led to him awarding direct contracts to Wong, as most contracts were issued by the divisions or districts. Ag Tahir also said he received profits namely RM5 million and RM12 million from his other two business partners, including his brother. He added that luxurious vehicles and items allegedly found with him were bought using the profit money and his salary. Deputy public prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Haresh Prakash Somiah, and Zander Lim appeared for the prosecution. Ag Tahir and Fauziah were represented by Datuk Ansari Abdullah and Erveana Ansari, while Lim was defended by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh, and Kelvin Wong.
