Ex Sabah Water Dept Director Claims Rm17m Cash In Office Wasn T His

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A former Sabah Water Department (Jans) director told the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court that the large amount of cash found in his office during a MACC raid in 2016 belonged to others.
ADSAg Tahir Talib, 63, testified that the money was already in the office when he began his service at the department, adding that only a small portion belonged to him.
“Most of the cash found in the pantry was not mine. It was already there when I took office.
“However, from time to time, I did keep some of my own money there because my brother, who was the Umno treasurer, would sometimes come to seek political donations.
“I estimate that around RM20 million was already there, only RM3 million belonged to me,” he said, as reported by Harian Metro.
Tahir was testifying before Judge Abu Bakar Manat during cross-examination today by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mahadi Abdul Jumaat.
He also maintained that most of the cash found in his office belonged to others.
However, Tahir said he could not recall whether the money was removed and displayed outside the office during the raid, adding that he was unaware the cash could not be counted on-site due to its large amount.
DPP: Were you in the office during the raid? Did you witness the process?
Tahir: I was there, but I didn’t witness anything.
Pressed further, Tahir claimed ignorance that his wife, Fauziah Piut, had 19 bank accounts with funds totalling RM2.2 million.
He also disagreed with the statement that, in addition to millions in cash, MACC also allegedly found 900 pieces of jewellery.
ADSQuestioned about the jewellery, he also claimed that he was unaware it was valued at RM1.7 million in 2016, and that in 2023, an expert witness testified that its value had soared to RM4.1 million.
Money laundering charges
Along with Tahir, also on trial were Fauziah, 60, and former Jans deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 66.
The trio are facing 37 money laundering charges involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury items between October and November 2016.
The prosecution is being led by Haresh Prakash Somiah and Zander Lim.
Tahir and Fauziah are represented by Ansari Abdullah and Erveana Ansari, while Lim is defended by Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh, and Kelvin Wong.
The trial will resume on July 23. - Mkini

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