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

The Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court today gave a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to former Sabah Water Department (JANS) deputy director Teo Chee Kong for 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 intend to pursue the charges against Teo, 56.

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

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

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

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

MACC senior director of the legal and prosecution division Faridz Gohim Abdullah told a press conference after the court proceedings today that a compound of RM30 million was imposed on Teo.

He said the MACC’s act to impose the compound was a form of asset recovery under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Illegal Activities Act 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 face 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 face similar charges.

On Oct 4, 2016, Teo and Awang Mohd Tahir were arrested by the MACC. 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.