Three accused steer clear of media spotlight

KOTA KINABALU: The three people charged in the country’s biggest corruption case stayed hidden from the glare of the media, with their faces completely covered as they were brought in to court by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Agency investigators.

Former Sabah Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib wore a hooded sweater and used it to cover his face from the photographers.

His wife Fauziah Piut was wearing a tudung and used a jacket to hide her face from the cameras.

The third accused, Lim Lam Beng had his face totally wrapped with a jacket.

The three were brought in a white unmarked Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission van at 9.21am to the Kota Kinabalu High Court.

They were immediately escorted to the Special Corruption Court presided by Sessions Court judge Ummu Kalthom Abdul Samad.

Among those who were already waiting in the courtroom were a handful of individuals believed to be relatives of the three accused.

The three appeared calm throughout the proceeding although Ag Mohd Tahir was seen shaking his head after Ummu Kalthom set bail at RM10mil.

The trio were only notified late on Wednesday that they would be charged today.

It is learnt that Fauziah, a housewife, only knew that she too would be charged together with her husband when they were called in to the MACC office at about 6pm.

According to Lim’s counsel Chin Teck Ming, Lim had actually voluntarily declared his assets and offered to be charged today.

Meanwhile, in the courtroom, the three accused nodded and said they understood the charges against them and pleaded not guilty to all charges.