Kota Kinabalu: A total of 93 branded handbags belonging to the wife of the former Sabah Water Department director were among items seized during a raid at their house in Sembulan here seven years ago, the Special Corruption Court heard on Wednesday.
It also heard that a Mazda 6 vehicle, with registration number SAA66R, was offered as a bribe by Lahad Datu 3 Water Supply Sdn Bhd, the operator of Timbangan Dam and Sepagaya Dam, to the former director.
Prosecution’s 44th witness Ekasuzieana Shafri, a senior assistant superintendent attached to the Inspection and Consultation Division Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Putrajaya, told Judge Abu Bakar Manat that the handbags were taken from a bedroom on the third floor of former Sabah Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib’s house in Graceville Townhouse, Sembulan on Oct 4, 2016. Ekasuzieana referred to a movable property seized list under Ag Mohd Tahir’s name on handbags belonging to his wife, Fauziah Piut.
The witness verified to the court that she prepared 12 movable property seized lists under Ag Mohd Tahir’s name on the exhibits found at his office at Wisma Muis and houses such as the cash in Ringgit Malaysia and foreign currencies, handphones, Ipads, cards, wallet, branded wristwatches, money in envelopes, laptops, vehicles, branded handbags and jewellery including rings, bangles, necklaces and earrings.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more Ekasuzieana said she signed the lists which were also signed by Ag Mohd Tahir.
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, the witness also said that the money found in Ag Tahir’s office was tied in 276 bundles and was stuffed in six boxes.
Ekasuzieana said the calculation and confiscation process was completed at 11pm and that she had prepared the lists of Seizure of Movable Property, on exhibits found in Ag. Mohd Tahir’s office on Level 6, Block A, Wisma Mui, his houses in Townhouse Graceville Sembulan, and Taman Kingfisher Sulaman.
The list was given to Ag. Mohd Tahir to check. He refused to check the list in detail and only wanted to put his signature on the list, said the witness.
Earlier, Ekasuzieana stated in her witness statement that her superior Hishammudin Mohammed Esa at 7.30am on Oct 4, 2016 in a Perodua Alza car, delivered a briefing to the team in relation to the Operation called “OPS WATER”.
She said the complaint information received said that “Ag. Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib in October 2013 received a bribe, a Mazda 6 vehicle, with registration number SAA66R from the Lahad Datu 3 Water Supply Sdn Bhd company which is the operator of Timbangan Dam and Sepagaya Dam, Sabah State Water Department”.
“Among the tasks that we need to do is to search for Ag. Mohd Tahir’s house and office where we need to find and obtain documents related to the case during the search.
“Among the documents we need to find and obtain are files/documents related to Sabah State Water Department projects/contracts; documents related to the purchase and any dealings related to the Mazda 6 car (SAA 66 R); Checkbook/book and bank statements and family members; Bank account book, Share Trust Book/Certificate, Share Investment Certificate and investment documents of Ag. Mohd Tahir and family; and other documents related to the case,” said Ekasuzieana.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat Haresh Prakash Somiah and Zander Lim appeared for the prosecution while counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem and Fareez Mohamed Salleh represented Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah.
Counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh and Karpaljit Singh representing Lim. Trial continues.
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