RM1.3 million given yearly at Sutera Golf parking lot for 15 years: Water contractor. ‘Ex-Department boss got RM16 million kickbacks’
Published on: Thursday, May 25, 2023
By: Cynthia D Baga
Paul the 34th prosecution witness, said Mohd Tahir withdrew about RM RM32,500 from EPF in 2001 and after that there was money deposited in his EPF account starting from 2002 until 2017. - FMT pic
Kota Kinabalu: A contractor who carried out works related to water supply in Sabah, gave commissions amounting to RM1.35 million yearly to former Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib.Wong Kok Vui @ Michael, 69, the prosecution’s 35th witness, reading out his witness statement during examination-in-chief before Judge Abu Bakar Manat, said he gave RM450,000 cash to Mohd Tahir thrice yearly.
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“I started to give the cash to Mohd Tahir since 2004 until 2015 and the total he received about RM15 million to RM16.2 million. This was only my estimation as the actual amount I did not remember.
“All the money I gave to Mohd Tahir were from the quotation works claim that I carried out from the State Water Department (JANS) for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Papar, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tenom and Tambunan,” said Wong.
Wong also confirmed that he gave commission to Mohd Tahir since he was JANS Director in 2003.
According to Wong, he would contact Mohd Tahir a day before their meeting and Mohd Tahir knew the purpose was to give the cash which he put inside black plastic before giving it to Mohd Tahir.
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He was testifying in the trial of Mohd Tahir, 58, his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55 who are jointly tried with Lim Lam Beng, of 66 to 37 counts of money laundering charges, involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods.
Wong further said after Mohd Tahir arrived at the parking lot in Sutera Golf, Wong would approach Mohd Tahir’s vehicle and put the plastic containing the cash into his car.
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“I will tell him, ‘bos ini ada RM450,000’ (bos.. there is RM450,000). If we have time, we will have a drink at the Sutera Golf café but sometimes we just go back.
“When we have drink together, we never talk about the money or percentage or payment of commission. We always chat for about 20 minutes only,” said Wong.
He said the commission he gave to Mohd Tahir was “a return thanks as he (Mohd Tahir) made it easier for me to get contract works from JANS as he was the director who had the power to approve allocations for all divisions and districts in Sabah”.
“If I don’t give, most likely I would not get the contracts in the water department,” said Wong.
According to Wong, he did not record or list all the payment of commissions that he gave to Mohd Tahir.
Wong also informed the court that Mohd Tahir did not have any investment or joint venture in the business of any company operated by him (Wong).
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu EPF Deputy Manager Paul Sibining, 53, confirmed that Mohd Tahir, Fauziah and Lim had contributed in EPF from 2000 until 2022.
Paul the 34th prosecution witness, said Mohd Tahir withdrew about RM RM32,500 from EPF in 2001 and after that there was money deposited in his EPF account starting from 2002 until 2017.
For Fauziah, Paul said there was withdrawal amounting to RM176,628.05 from Fauziah’s EPF account. After the withdrawal, there was no balance in her EPF account as well as no money deposited after that.
For Lim, Paul said the balance of Lim’s EPF contribution in 2015 was RM24,234.26 and there was money deposited of RM10,754 into his EPF account.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat conducted the prosecution while Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were represented by counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem.
Lim was defended by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh and Aaron Lau. Trial continues.
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