Cross-examined by Fauziah Piut’s counsel Priskila Akwila Sinem, Teo Chee Kong denied that he had kept money collected under a scheme for himself and maintained that he did pay out money to Ag Mohd Tahir Ag Mohd Talib, according to the Daily Express.

Teo was testifying at the trial of Tahir, Tahir’s wife Fauziah, and Lim Lam Beng, who are standing trial on 31 counts of money laundering involving RM61.5 million, in what has become known as the “Sabah Watergate” scandal.

Teo said Lim, his ex-colleague, had taken him to meet state infrastructure development minister Raymond Tan to discuss the contribution scheme.

Denying a suggestion by Priskila that Tahir had nothing to do with the matter, Teo claimed that Tahir’s instructions for him to attend the meeting were conveyed to him by Lim.

Teo also said that it was Tahir who instructed him to prepare a standard price list for piling and fitting, pipe maintenance and pipe-related works.

The draft price list was prepared by Liaw Wee Ming and Yih Kian Kok, he said, adding that the idea to use an “inflated rate” came from him.

Teo had previously faced 146 charges involving over RM32.9 million in connection with the scandal, but was granted a conditional discharge after paying a compound of RM30 million.

The hearing continues before judge Abu Bakar Manat.

Deputy public prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Haresh Prakash Somiah and Zander Lim appeared for the prosecution. Fareeez Mohamed Salleh represented Tahir and Fauziah, while Tan Hock Chuan, Baldev Singh and Kelvin Wong appeared for Lim. Ram Singh held a watching brief for Teo.