Ex-Sabah Water Dept deputy director gets discharge not amounting to acquittal for money laundering

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court today discharged not amounting to an acquittal former deputy director of the Sabah Water Department (JANS), Teo Chee Kong, on 146 charges of money laundering, involving more than RM32 million.

Judge Abu Bakar Manat made the decision after deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) informed the court that the prosecution did not intent to pursue with the charges against Teo, 56.

He said this followed a representation sent by Teo to the Attorney-General's Chambers and the MACC.

On Dec 13, 2017, Teo had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

He was charged with committing the offence through power abuse in the implementation of projects by the Sabah Water Department between 2010 and 2016.

The case is at the trial stage with the prosecution having called five witnesses.

Meanwhile, MACC Senior Director of the Legal and Prosecution Division, Datuk Faridz Gohim Abdullah, told a press conference after the court proceedings today, said a compound of RM30 million was imposed on Teo.

He said the MACC's action to impose the compound was a form of recovering the assets under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Anti -Money Laundering, Anti -Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Illegal Activities Act (AMLATFPUAM) 2001.

He said the compound was a punishment or punitive action against the accused and indirectly an admission of guilt.

"With this amount, it is a success for the prosecution, and if the accused does not pay the compound, he will faced the full force of the law," he added.

He said the decision on Teo did not affect the case of three other individuals, including former JANS director, Awang Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, who faced similar charges.

On October 4, 2016, Teo and Awang Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib were arrested by the MACC and after searching their offices and residences, the MACC found RM52 million in cash, with RM7 million belonging to Teo and RM45 million belonging to Awang Mohd Tahir.

Also found were jewellery, several accounts abroad as well as land titles, all worth about RM180 million.

-- BERNAMA