Kota Kinabalu: The Special Corruption Court hearing Sabah’s biggest scandal involving RM62 million was told that another RM4.1 million cash was found inside a second luxury car, a Mercedes-Benz C300, that was used by former Sabah Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib.
This was in addition to RM9.1m (that was found in a Mazda6 that was used by Ag Mohd Tahir. Both cars as well as a BMW5351 and Volvo XC60 were all in his physical possession although bought under the firm of a childhood friend.
On trial is Ag Mohd Tahir, 58, his wife Fauziah Piut, 55, and former deputy director of the department Lim Lam Beng, 66, who had on Dec 29, 2016 pleaded not guilty to 37 counts of money laundering, involving RM61.57 million.
The 12th prosecution witness, Ag Md Ihsam Ag Mahmud, 43, a company director, said although a Mercedes-Benz C300 was registered under his company, one Mohd Hussainy told him that it was used by Ag Mohd Tahir.
The witness also confirmed that Hussainy had told him to use his company’s name to purchase a Mercedes-Benz to be given to Ag Mohd Tahir.
Ag Mohd Ihsam recalled that Hussainy called to meet at Asia City before bringing him to a Mercedes-Benz shop where he was given a form to sign.
To a question during examination-in-chief by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Haresh Prakash Somiah, the witness said the RM4.1 million found inside the Mercedes Benz on Oct. 4, 2016 did not belong to him or his company. He said the car was with Ag Mohd Tahir on Oct 4, 2016.
Earlier on April 13, Ag Mohd Isham’s brother, Ampuan Hassim Ampuan Mahmot, 55, who was the prosecution’s 11th witness, also denied the ownership of RM9.1 million cash found inside a Mazda6 car, which was registered under his company’s name.
Ampuan said the RM9.1 million cash found inside the said car on Oct 4, 2016 did not belong to him or his company, as it (Mazda6) was under the care of Ag Mohd Tahir at that time.
Testifying further, Ag Mohd Ihsam said he never used the Mercedes with the registration plate number SD66J. It was used by Ag Mohd Tahir.
The witness said he did not care about his company’s name being used to purchase the vehicle or should his company go bankrupt if the person (Ag Mohd Tahir) did not make the payment.
Ag Mohd Ihsam explained during re-examination that he agreed to do all that on the basis of trust in Ag Mohd Tahir who used his company’s name.
Meanwhile, the prosecution’s 13th witness, Adam Breimo, told the court he agreed to let Ag Mohd Tahir use his name to buy an Audi as a sign of his personal gratitude as Ag Mohd Tahir gave him much advice during his divorce in 2011.
Adam, 46, a company director, added it was based on trust and was not concerned if Ag Mohd Tahir was not able to repay the car loan.
To a question by DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat on the price of the car, Adam said it could be RM160,000, adding he never faced any problems with the bank since its purchase.
Adam said that he first knew Ag Mohd Tahir in 2006 at the Asia Water exhibition and they became close.
Adam added that in early August of the same year, Ag Mohd Tahir had requested him to send him to the Audi Centre showroom in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur as he intended to buy a car.
The salesperson requested his personal documents in order to process the bank loan and subsequently purchased a red Audi A1 1.4 TFSI, with the registration plate number SAB66F.
“I signalled to Ag Mohd Tahir to pay a large advance so that I do not have a high risk if he does not pay the car debt from the bank. I am not sure how he made the down payment,” said Adam.
After the purchase was completed, Ag Mohd Tahir made arrangements to send the car back to Sabah on his own and that he never bothered about things like the road tax, car insurance and maintenance, which were all managed by Tahir.
When crossed by Marcel, Adam said he could not remember which bank gave the loan, loan period, monthly instalments and so on.
However, during re-examination by the prosecution, Adam said the case has been around for too long.
Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were represented by counsel Marcel Jude while counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh and Karpaljit Singh appeared for Lim.
The trial continues on April 25.
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