Kota Kinabalu: A key prosecution witness on Thursday disagreed with a suggestion that his statements involving the former Sabah Water Department Deputy Director, who is one of the three accused in their money laundering trial, was motivated by self-interest.
Teo Chee Kong said this to counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, who was representing third accused, former State Water Department Deputy Director Lim Lam Beng, during cross-examination before Special Corruption Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat.
Teo, who was the prosecution’s 29th witness, also disagreed with Tan’s suggestion that his testimony in court involving Lim was motivated by his intention to save himself from prosecution and the return of all his prohibited properties including properties in New Zealand.
Tan: I put it to you that you are not a witness of truth. Do you agree?
Teo: Disagree.
Tan: I put it to you that you are not an independent and uninterested witness.
Teo: Disagree.
Tan: I suggest that apart from all 146 charges being dropped, MACC’s agreement to return all movable and immovable properties inside and outside the country is a motivation for you to give false evidence against the third accused. Agree?
Teo: Disagree.
Earlier, Teo also disagreed with Tan’s suggestion that aside from the MACC withdrawing the 146 charges, the MACC’s actions of withdrawing the ban order and returning the movable and immovable property in Singapore motivated him to give false evidence against the third accused.
Teo also disagreed with a suggestion that he was motivated by the return of substantial cash and monies (RM66 million) and immovable properties in Singapore, New Zealand and Sabah to cause him to give false testimony against Lim.
Tan: I put it to you that you are motivated by self-interest in giving false testimony against the third accused, including the withdrawal of 146 charges and the return of substantial movable and immovable properties, local and foreign to you. Do you agree?
Teo: Disagree.
Teo also disagreed with a suggestion that he was not a witness of truth but a witness motivated by self-interest.
To a question, Teo confirmed that he has filed various applications in the Sessions Court, High Court and Court of Appeal to disrupt and delay the trial.
Tan: I suggest your actions to file various applications and appeals show that you are not cooperating with the prosecution. Agree?
Teo: Disagree.
Tan: I put it to you that you only changed your attitude and cooperated with MACC after your last representation was accepted by MACC. Agree?
Teo: Disagree.
To another question, Teo said his witness statement which was tendered in court on Jan 12, this year was prepared by the investigating officer Abdullah Sani some time in September or October, 2022.
Tan: That means it was prepared after the RM30 million compound was paid and all 146 charges were withdrawn on Feb 18, 2022. Correct?
Teo: Correct.
Tan: I suggest to you that you have followed the bulk of the witness statement prepared by the Investigating officer and you made some amendments. Do you agree?
Teo: Disagree.
Teo was the Deputy Director after Lim Lam Beng retired.
Lim was jointly charged with State Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib (first accused) and his wife Fauziah Piut (second accused) 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.
Together with Tan in representing Lim were counsel Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh and Kelvin Wong while Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were represented by counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem and Mohd Fareeez Mohd Salleh.
Counsel Ram Singh and Kimberly Ye held a watching brief for Teo.
Trial continues.
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