Kota kinabalu: The Sessions Court today sentenced the former director of Sabah Water Department to eight years in prison and fined him RM284.3 million after finding him guilty of 12 money laundering charges involving more than RM45 million committed a decade ago. Judge Abu Bakar Manat imposed an eight-year jail term for each charge against Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, 63, but ordered all sentences to run concurrently from today. The accused faces an additional 78 months in prison if he fails to pay the fine: 12 months for the first charge, and six months each for the remaining 11 charges.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ag Mohd Tahir was found guilty of 11 charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLA) Act 2001, and one charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the same Act. The offences were committed in Sabah and Kuala Lumpur between Oct 4 and Nov 8, 2016. His wife, Fauziah Piut, 61, and former deputy director of the department, Lim Lam Beng, 72, were acquitted and discharged of their respective charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the AMLA Act.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat urged the court to impose a heavy sentence and a commensurate fine on the accused, noting that the offences involved public funds meant to provide amenities to the people. He emphasized that the case involves a significant leakage of public funds, which were intended for essential water supply services in Sabah. He stated that if the funds had not been embezzled, the state's water supply issues might have been addressed.
Ag Mohd Tahir's lawyer, Datuk Ansari Abdullah, highlighted his client's health issues, including osteoarthritis, which affects his mobility. Ansari requested a stay of execution for the sentences, arguing that his client has faced substantial hardship, including public humiliation, and will lose his pension and gratuities. Judge Abu Bakar granted the stay of execution, pending an appeal to the High Court, while maintaining existing bail conditions.