Kota Kinabalu: A prosecution witness told the Special Corruption Court on Monday that he described the discovery of valuables as extraordinary due to the huge amount of money and valuables found in the house of former State Water Department (JANS) Director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib.
“It was actually the biggest bust among all the enforcement agencies at that time.
“Before, no enforcement agency had ever found that many exhibits. After that, the record was broken by the 1MDB case,” said Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) officer Hishammudin Mohammed Esa, to an additional question during the continuation of his examination-in-chief by the prosecution.
Hishammudin, 48, had previously told the court that some RM44 million in cash, 921 pieces of jewellery, 86 luxury wristwatches and 93 branded handbags were found during the raid in the office, house and vehicles belonging to Ag Mohd Tahir on Oct 4, 2016.
On trial were Ag Mohd Tahir, 58, and his wife Fauziah Piut, 55, who were jointly charged with former State Water Deputy Director Lim Lam Beng, 66, on 37 counts of money-laundering charges, involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods.
They had, on Dec 29, 2016, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Testifying further before Judge Abu Bakar Manat, the 40th prosecution witness said a total of seven luxury vehicles were seized from Ag Mohd Tahir, which were found at his house in Graceville Townhouse, Sembulan and in Taman Kingfisher Sulaman.
The vehicles comprise a Mercedes CGI 250, Mazda 6, BMW 535, Ford Ranger, Volvo, Range Rover and Audi.
Hisammudin said he knew the vehicles were owned by Ag Mohd Tahir as they received intelligence information regarding Ag Mohd Tahir’s vehicles.
“The clearest sign is that most of his car number plates use the number ‘66’, for example, SB66C, SD66J, ST66H, SAA66B and SAB66F,” said the witness, adding Ag Mohd Tahir handed over the car keys himself when asked.
To another question, in relation to Ag Mohd Tahir refusing to witness the preparation of the seizure list when he was at the Sabah MACC office as the witness stated in his witness statement, Hishamuddin said what he meant was that the seizure process should be observed and with the presence of the owner.
“However, due to the number of exhibits being too many, I saw Ag Mohd Tahir did not have the heart to look at the process carefully even though he was asked to do so to avoid accusations against my officers.
“I see Ag Mohd Tahir as if he does not want to see this process, is not sincere, despite being given the opportunity to do so,” he said.
To a question on why all the exhibits were sent to Bank Negara Malaysia, Sabah branch and not at the MACC premises, the witness said because the number of exhibits was very large and to ensure security because the storage space at MACC Sabah was quite limited.
Hishammudin said the exhibits that were kept in the Bank Negara Malaysia were the money, jewellery, rings, gemstones, valuable handbags and watches, while the vehicles and the electronic gadgets were kept at the MACC office.
To another question, the witness said at the initial stage, the investigation was under the MACC and then they received instruction to investigate under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA), in which the list of confiscation of movable property under Section 45 (2) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001 was submitted to Ag Mohd Tahir for the re-seizure of movable property previously seized using a Seizure Notice under Section 33 of the MACC 2009.
To another question, Hishammudin said gold items were indeed evaluated for purity and price on Dec 1, 2016 at Bank Negara Malaysia, Sabah branch by Borneo Gold Chairman Alex Loo.
On a question on the purpose of analysing the gemstones that were brought together with other jewellery to Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8, 2016, the witness said it was to evaluate the purity of the gemstones mixed with gold which Alex Loo does not have enough expertise to make an assessment of the stones.
“Loo is only an expert on gold items and gold purity. He has given a name, namely Siow Der Ming, the president of the peninsula gold association who is said to have expertise on purity and the price of jewellery mixed with gold,” said the witness.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat prosecuted while counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem and Fareeez Mohamed Salleh represented Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah.
Counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh and Karpaljit Singh representing Lim.
Trial continues.
