Ex-Water Dept Director, 2 others to go on trial July
Published on: Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Two former senior officials of the Sabah Water Department and one of their wives charged with a total of 37 counts of money laundering will go trial in July and August this year.Sessions Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat set July 4-7, July 25-28, Aug 8-11 and Aug 22-25 for the trial of former Director Ag Tahir Mohd Talib, 54, his wife Fauziah Ag Piut, 51, and former Deputy Director Lim Lam Beng @Lim Chee Hong, 62, during the case management on Tuesday.During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Husmaruddin Hussin who was assisted by DPP Farez Rahman, told the court that the prosecution expected to call about 200 witnesses in the hearing.
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He also informed the court that they had already served all relevant documents to the defence.The defence counsel confirmed that they had received the documents.Abu Bakar also fixed May 4 for further mention following a request from the defence for two months to check the voluminous documents.Awang Tahir and his wife were represented by counsel P.J Perira together with counsel Hairul Vaiyron while counsel Baldev Singh and Karpaljit Singh defended Lim.
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On Dec 29, 2016, Ag Tahir, Fauziah and Lim had pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.Ag Tahir is facing 12 counts of having cash and savings amounting to RM56.9 million as well as luxury vehicles and branded watches.
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He allegedly committed the offences at different places at the department director's office in Wisma Muis, Graceville Townhouse in Sembulan, OCBC Bank in Jalan Pantai, OUB Bank Bhd in Jalan Gaya, Taman Kingfisher Sulaman and Puncak Luyang Condominium in Jalan Kolam, Luyang on Oct 4, 2016.Ag Tahir was also jointly charged with Fauziah with two counts of having 575 various types of jewellery and 346 of various items including branded handbags, keychains and branded wristwatches.The offences allegedly took place at the Graceville Townhouse in Sembulan on Oct 4, 2016.Fauziah faces another 19 counts of having cash and savings amounting to RM2.2 million in various banks and branded handbags, jewellery and other items. All the charges against them stated that the cash, savings, luxury vehicles, branded watches, branded handbags, jewellery and other items were the proceeds from unlawful activities.Meanwhile, Lim was charged with four counts of possessing cash amounting to RM2.38 million and a Toyota Land Cruiser at a house in Jalan Penempatan, here between Oct 13 and Nov 8, 2016.They were charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (Amla) 2001 which provides for a fine of up to RM5 million, or a jail term of up to 15 years, or both, on conviction.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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