Hearing fixed for August 6
Published on: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
By: Jo Ann Mool
KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court, Tuesday, has set tentative trial dates commencing Aug 6 for the continuation of the trial of the money laundering case involving Sabah Water Department’s former director Awang Mohd Tahir Awang Mohd Talib, his wife Fauziah Piut and two former deputy directors, Lim Lam Beng and Teo Chee Kong. Judge Abu Bakar Manat fixed Aug 6-8, Aug 13-15, Aug 20-22, Oct 8-10, Oct 15-17 and Oct 29-31 for trial.
Tuesday was for mention of the cases for parties to inform the court on the outcome of the appeal by Teo in the Court of Appeal on March 18.
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Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Public Prosecutor Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman told the court that Teo’s appeal and the prosecution’s preliminary objection (PO) to the appeal had been adjourned to July 23 as Teo’s counsel needed more time to reply to the PO.
Tuesday was also set for hearing and decision on the application by Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah for the RM1.2 million of the properties seized to be released to their counsel as legal fee. However, their counsel informed the court Tuesday that they are withdrawing the application. Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah had filed the application on Feb 11, this year.
On May 21, 2018, the court postponed the trial following Teo’s application for a stay had been granted by the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya on May 18, the same year until the disposal of three appeals. The prosecution had applied for the trial to be stayed until the appeal by Teo be heard and decided by the Court of Appeal.
Teo’s appeal is against the two forfeiture orders in the High Court as regards the lands and bank accounts of Teo; against the refusal of the High Court to revise the Sessions Court’s order against the recusal of Judge Abu Bakar for the trial;
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against the refusal of the High Court to revise the Sessions Court’s order for a joint trial of all four accused; and against the refusal of the High Court to set aside all 146 charges against Teo on grounds of mala fide.
The prosecution had so far called five witnesses in the trial.
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Ag Mohd Tahir, 55, and Fauziah, 52, along with Lim, 63, had pleaded not guilty to 37 counts of money laundering, involving RM61.57 million.
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