OCBC Bank operations service centre relief head Robert Yong told the court that the accounts were a premier account and a monthly investment account.

However, he said he did not know the reason for the money being deposited into the accounts, Daily Express reported him as testifying.

Yong said a notice under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) was served on the bank, informing it that the deputy public prosecutor had instructed the authorities to seize both accounts.

He said the notice also mentioned that OCBC “could not destroy or move any of the property under the said accounts until the notice was cancelled”.

Tahir, 58, is on trial with his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55, and his former deputy, Lim Lam Beng, 66, after they pleaded not guilty on Dec 29, 2016 to 37 counts of money laundering amounting to RM61.57 million.

Under cross-examination by Tahir’s lawyer Marcel Jude on whether the seizure of the bank accounts was done in an “unlawful” manner, Yong said he did not know.

The officer also said he did not know how many “cash threshold” and “suspicious transaction” reports were lodged over Tahir’s accounts.

Marcel then claimed that there was no freeze order issued against Tahir’s bank accounts before the seizure order was issued.

Yong replied: “I do not know the process of freezing and seizure.”

The hearing continues before Judge Abu Bakar Manat.