Ex-Sabah water dept director claims millions in cash were business profits
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.
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