Director in nation's biggest graft scandal misses work

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Water Department (SWD) director at the centre of the nation's biggest corruption scandal did not go back to work today contrary to reports.
A source from the department told theSun that director Ag Tahir Ag Talib was not at work and was not sure when he would return.
The director was released on bail by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) pending an investigation into corruption and abuse of power involving RM3.3 billion.
The bail was set at RM500,000 in two sureties.
He was also ordered to report to the Sabah MACC every month.
It, however, has not been made clear by any party or authority whether the director has been suspended or sacked.
It was reported earlier that Sabah MACC director Datuk Shaharom Nizam Abdul Manap had said that it was up to the state agencies
concerned to decide on the type of action to be taken against those under investigation.
He did recommend that such a civil servant be asked to take a "rest or leave" while the investigations are ongoing.
The director and his deputy are alleged to have taken kickbacks and are also allegedly involved in money laundering involving federal projects worth RM3.3 billion which were disbursed to companies under their siblings' names.
MACC had seized some RM53.7 million in cash from houses and offices of the department director and his deputy.
Meanwhile, SWD deputy director Teoh Chee Kong and two others were released on bail following their recent arrests as investigations on the case continues.
They were released before magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abie, who set bail at RM500,000 in two sureties for the deputy and his businessman brother who is a Datuk.
The businessman's accountant was released on bail of RM50,000 in two sureties.
To date, the MACC has recorded statements from over 80 witnesses regarding the case.