The latest prosecution from the “Sabah Watergate” scandal that gave the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) its largest ever cash seizure – a whopping RM114 million.
- Released on RM1.5m bail, with passport impounded and reporting to MACC every Saturday
- Charged with 3 others for alleged abuse of power and money laundering involving RM3.3 billion worth of SWD contracts
- The 3 earlier charged were former director Ag Mohd Tahir, Tahir’s wife Fauziah Piut, former deputy director Lim Lam Beng
- MACC seized RM114m worth of assets and cash, including stashed in foreign banks
- Assets included 127 land titles, 9 luxury cars, branded watches, jewellery, 94 designer handbags
Former Sabah Water Department (SWD) deputy director Teo Chee Kong, 52, claimed trial today to 146 charges of money laundering involving RM32.93 million.
Sixty-eight of the charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) and the remaining 78 under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The charges were not read aloud in the courtroom due to the volume and were instead summarised for Teo by the court interpreter.
The offences were allegedly carried out from 2005 to 2016.
Sessions Court judge Nixon Kennedy Kumbong fixed RM1.5 million for bail with RM500,000 to be deposited in two sureties and ordered Teo’s passport to be surrendered.
The judge also ordered him to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission every Saturday between 8am and 8pm.
The judge set Jan 16 for case management.
MACC’s deputy public prosecutor Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman had earlier applied for RM10 million bail.
Counsel Hamid Ismail countered, saying the bail amount should be set at RM1 million. He argued that since Teo’s release on Oct 17, he has been reporting to the MACC with full cooperation.
Teo, who was arrested yesterday when giving his statement at the MACC in Kota Kinabalu, was also represented by Roland Cheng.
He arrived at the court at about 10am and was seen covering himself with a maroon hood.
Teo, who is supposed to undergo a medical procedure at a private hospital today, was accompanied by his family members.
The case made headlines in October 2016 when the MACC announced the confiscation of its largest haul of cash and valuables, along with the arrest of the department’s top two officers.
On Oct 4 last year, Teo was arrested with former SWD director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib to assist in the investigation for alleged abuse of power and money laundering linked to contracts for RM3.3 billion worth of federal-funded projects awarded to the department since 2010.
The MACC had seized RM114 million worth of assets, including RM53.7 million in cash stashed at the duo’s houses and office, RM30 million stashed in foreign banks and another RM30 million in 127 land titles.
The Commission also seized nine luxury vehicles worth RM2.7 million, branded watches and jewellery worth RM3.64 million and 94 designer handbags worth RM500,000.
On Dec 29, Ag Mohd Tahir, 54, his wife Fauziah Piut, 51, and another former SWD deputy director, Lim Lam Beng, 62, were slapped with 37 counts of misappropriating infrastructure funds. Lim was also a state Finance Ministry advisor.
All pleaded not guilty.
After a series of delays and postponements, their trial is expected to take place on Feb 21, 2018.
Tengku Amir said he will apply for Teo’s case to be heard jointly with Mohd Tahir’s next year.