Ex-Sabah Water director tells court he never forced contractors to make 'contributions'

New Straits Times

25-06-2025

KOTA KINABALU: A former Sabah Water director denied involvement in forcing contractors to make monetary contributions to the department upon receiving contracts.
Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib said the witness statement by his former deputy Teo Chee Kong that he had consented to the "centralised collection system", a commission paid to department top posts and the then Sabah works minister, were baseless.
"I was not involved in the centralised collection system mentioned, and in fact, it existed as early as 1989, as stated by Teo Chee Kong in his witness testimony.
"I knew nothing about the matter. What I knew was only what Teo had informed me, and even then, he did not elaborate much.
"I had no knowledge of how the commissions were divided or who the other recipients were," said the 63-year-old in his 155-page written witness statement.
Ag Tahir, who became the director in 2003, was testifying before Sessions Court judge Abu Bakar Manat in the continuation of his defence trial today.
Also on trial are his wife, Fauziah Piut, 60, and former deputy director, Lim Lam Beng, 66.
Teo became deputy director after Lim's retirement.
The trio are jointly facing 37 charges of money laundering involving cash and bank savings totalling RM61.57 million, as well as the unlawful possession of luxury items between October and November 2016.
Despite not knowing much of the details, Ag Tahir said that he was unable to put an end to the practice as it would have endangered his safety, claiming that it involved gangster groups.
He also said despite being a deputy director, Teo had stronger connections, including ministers, and even up to the level of the chief minister's office.
Ag Tahir further denied claims made by Teo that a 1.5 per cent allocation to the minister, the permanent secretary, and staff of the Infrastructure Development Ministry was a goodwill payment meant to build rapport.
Meanwhile, responding to the witness statement of Michael Wong, the prosecution's 35th witness, Ag Tahir denied receiving any commission from Teo.
Although he was aware that Wong owned multiple companies, he stated he did not know which specific company was involved in projects under the Water Department.
He also denied there was any commission that led to him awarding direct contracts to Wong, as most contracts were issued by the divisions or districts.
Ag Tahir also said he received profits namely RM5 million and RM12 million from his other two business partners, including his brother.
He added that luxurious vehicles and items allegedly found with him were bought using the profit money and his salary.
Deputy public prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Haresh Prakash Somiah, and Zander Lim appeared for the prosecution.
Ag Tahir and Fauziah were represented by Datuk Ansari Abdullah and Erveana Ansari, while Lim was defended by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh, and Kelvin Wong.