Parking lot shenanigans: Former water dept director paid RM1.35 million annually for 11 years

SHAH ALAM - A contractor who handled works related to water supply in Sabah gave the department's then director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib RM1.35 million yearly from 2004 to 2015.

Wong Kok Vui @ Michael, 69, told the Kota Kinabalu sessions court that he started paying money to express his 'gratitude' after Tahir was appointed as the state water department's director back in 2003.

According to the Daily Express, Wong said he paid RM450,000 thrice yearly, which brings the amount to an estimated RM16.2 million

"All the money I gave to Mohd Tahir were from the quotation works claim that I carried out from the State Water Department (JANS) for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Papar, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tenom and Tambunan.

"If I did not give him the money, I would not able to get any jobs from the department," he said.

Wong said that he would contact Tahir a day before their meeting (to pass money) and meet at the parking lot in Sutera Golf.

Mohd Tahir knew the purpose was to give the cash, which Wong claimed he put inside a black plastic before giving it to Mohd Tahir.

"I will tell him, ‘Bos ini ada RM450,000’ (boss, there is RM450,000). If we have time, we will have a drink at the Sutera Golf café but sometimes we just go back.

"When we have drinks together, we never talk about the money or percentage or payment of commission. We always chat for about 20 minutes only," Wong said.

Wong was testifying in the trial of Tahir, 58 and his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55 and former state water department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 66.

The trio pleaded not guilty to 37 counts of money laundering involving RM61.57 million.