Kota Kinabalu: Some RM44 million cash, 921 pieces of jewellery, 86 luxury wristwatches and 93 branded handbags were found during the raid in the office, house and vehicles belonging to former State Water Department (JANS) Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib.
MACC officer Datuk Seri Hishammudin Mohammed Esa said RM23 million was on the office table, long sofa, television cabinet and wood cabinet as well as inside a bag during the first raid at Ag Tahir’s office.
Another RM9 million was found inside the boot of a Mazda, RM4 million inside the boot of a Mercedes Benz and RM8 million inside a safe box at Ag Tahir’s house.
Hishamuddin also explained in detail the location of the bundles of money, jewellery and watches found in every corner in Ag Mohd Tahir’s office, pantry, house and cars on sketch plans.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more To a question, he said only Ag Tahir has access to the room in the said pantry as it was in his office, the key of the room was only kept by Ag Tahir and no one was allowed to enter the room.
At Ag Tahir’s house, only wife Fauziah Piut had access to the safe box where the money, jewellery and wristwatches were found as only she knew the combination number of the safe box. Former State Water Department (JANS) Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib
Hishamuddin was testifying Friday before Sessions Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat in the trial of Ag Tahir, 58, Fauziah, 55, and Lim Lam Beng, 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.
According to Hishamuddin, when they raided Ag Tahir’s house in Sembulan other than MACC officers, only Ag Tahir and his wife were at the house.
Hishamuddin was reading out his witness statement before Sessions Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat, in the trial of Ag Tahir, 58, Fauziah Piut, 55, and Lim Lam Beng, 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.
Meanwhile, the prosecution 41th witness informed the court that RM14,000 cash was found at Ag Tahir’s female “close friend” during a raid in the condominium belonging to the woman.
Ku Syazwani Ku Azmi, 33, said Oct 4, 2016 at about 2pm, she was instructed by Investigating Officer Chin Chen Huat to raid a house belonging to Christine Fiona M Ponsoi who was believed to be keeping property for Ag Tahir.
“I went to Christine’s office in Sedco with two other officers. Based on information, Christine was at her home in Jalan Fung Yei Ting and we went to the location.
“I met Christine while she was inside her car and I informed her that we have received instruction to raid her house in Luyang. We then proceed to the Puncak Luyang Condominium together with Christine. Before we proceed the search, I served Christine with a search and seizure order and asked to sign the order,” said Ku Syazwani.
They made the search at the condominium and found a bag containing 140 pieces of RM100 notes at the living room.
“After counting the notes, the amount of the money was RM14,000. Other than the money, we did not find any valuables or suspicious items from the condominium.
“We then seized the money and went back to the Sabah MACC office. I received instruction to temporary keep the seized money while waiting for further order. I then put the money inside an iron cabinet and locked it. “On Dec 19, 2016, I was instructed by Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin to hand over the cash money of RM14,000 that seized from Christine, to MACC Officer Mohd Yussof Awang Osman,” said Ku Syazwani in her witness statement.
Ku Syazwani further informed the court that Christine had relations with Ag Tahir as he gave Christine RM14,000.
She was not arrested by MACC but was one of the prosecution witnesses.
Meanwhile, the prosecution 39th witness Nordinansah Kasim, said he was instructed to raid the office and houses of Former State Water Department (JANS) Deputy Director Lim to detect evidence of criminal acts of corruption committed by Lim.
Nordinansah said the first raid was at Lim’s office at Sabah Finance Ministry and they did not find any evidence related to the investigation of the Ops Water case.
“Our team then moved together with Lim to the second location which was Lim’s house at Jalan Penempatan, here. “We then made the search at the house and inside the vehicle belonged to Lim. As a result of the search, we found some documents and items suspected to be related to the investigation of the Ops Water case namely, documents of vehicles, financial, house as well as laptops and jewellery and two vehicles.
“All the seized items were brought to the Sabah MACC’s office,” he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPP) DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Haresh Prakash Somiah and Zander Lim, conducted the prosecution while Lim was defended by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh and Aaron Lau and counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem defended Ag Tahir and Fauziah.
Trial continues on July 25.
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