Ex-water dept director never refused my money, witness tells court

 

Former Sabah water department director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib is among three accused who have claimed trial to 37 counts of money laundering involving RM61.57 million. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former Sabah water department director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib never turned down any of the money that a contractor had offered him for over 10 years, the Kota Kinabalu sessions court heard today.

According to a report in The Borneo Post, Wong Kok Vui @ Michael said there was no agreement with Tahir on the amount he was to give the then water department director from 2004 to 2015.

“I can only estimate the amount I have given him to be around RM1.35 million (annually),” the witness said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat.

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Each time he gave him the money, Tahir thanked him, Wong said.

He also said Tahir had never rejected any of the money.

The Borneo Post reported that when cross-examined by counsel Priskila Akwila, Wong said the RM16.2 million he gave Tahir from 2004 to 2015 was voluntary. He denied the then director had asked for a 30% “commission” on contracts awarded to Wong’s firm.

He said he always handed over the money to Tahir when no one else was around, and that he did not keep any record of the contributions.

Wong agreed with Priskila that he did not have any proof, statements or witnesses to support his claim that he had given Tahir the money.

“Correct. If I keep any record, it would be bad for me as it is an offence.”

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Wong also said the department’s district division and engineers were the ones who would determine what projects would be awarded to which contractors, not Tahir.

He added that he had to follow every instruction given by the state water department’s Kota Kinabalu division engineer Teo Chee Kong.

Tahir, 58, is on trial with his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55, and former state water department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 66.

The trio had on Dec 29, 2016 pleaded not guilty to 37 counts of money laundering involving RM61.57 million.

Teo, who is also the department’s former deputy director, was initially one of the key suspects in the case. He was acquitted of 146 counts of money laundering charges involving RM32.93 million in March 2022. - FMT