Court To Deliver Verdict In Former Sabah Water Dept Director Graft Case Today

KOTA KINABALU, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Sessions Court here is scheduled to deliver its verdict today in the money laundering case involving former Sabah State Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, his wife, and the department’s former deputy director.

Judge Abu Bakar Manat is expected to rule on whether Ag Mohd Tahir, 63, his wife Fauziah Piut, 61, and Lim Lam Beng, 72, will be acquitted or convicted of charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUA) 2001.

Ag Mohd Tahir faces 12 charges, while Fauziah faces 19 charges. The couple are also jointly charged with two offences allegedly committed in Sabah and Kuala Lumpur between Oct 4 and Nov 4, 2016.

Lim, meanwhile, faces four charges for offences allegedly committed here between Oct 13 and Nov 8, 2016. 

All three accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were brought against them on Dec 28, 2016.

The trial, which began on May 7, 2018, was prolonged by multiple applications and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The prosecution closed its case on May 16, 2024 after calling more than 40 witnesses, before the accused were ordered to enter their defence on Dec 4, 2024.

The defence called 15 witnesses, including all three accused, before the court concluded hearing final submissions recently.

Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were represented by counsel led by Datuk Ansari Abdullah, while Lim was represented by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan and his team.

Deputy public prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Haresh Prakash Somiah and Zander Lim appeared for the prosecution.

--BERNAMA