KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here today reduced by half the combined bail of RM12 million for the former Sabah Water Department director and his wife, who were charged with money laundering last month.
In making the decision, Judge Ravinthran Paramaguru fixed RM5 million bail with RM2 million to be deposited, and with two local sureties, for Awang Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, 54.
Ravinthran set RM1 million bail for Fauziah Piut, 51, with RM500,000 to be fully deposited, and with two local sureties.
Both were also ordered to report to the nearest MACC branch once every two weeks.
"Sessions Court judge (Ummu Kaltom Abd Samad) considered all factors (in fixing the initial bail), but I don't see why such a high amount is necessary.
"(This) amount should be sufficient to (ensure) their attendance at the court," said Ravinthran.
On Dec 29, Awang and Fauziah were ordered to pay RM10 million and RM2 million respectively, with two local sureties, after they pleaded not guilty to 31 money laundering charges involving RM59.1 million.
The couple also claimed trial to two counts of possessing 575 pieces of jewellery and 346 other valuable items, acquired through illegal means.
The combined bail amount is said to be one of the highest in Malaysian court history.
Earlier, in appealing for a lesser bail, the couple's counsel, P. J. Pereira, requested Awang's bail to be reduced to RM1 million, with RM500,000 to be fully deposited.
He also requested for Fauziah's bail to be dropped to RM200,000, with RM50,000 to be fully deposited.
Pereira argued that the couple, who are a government servant and a housewife, could not secure the excessive bail money and that there was no risk of them absconding, as both had turned up to facilitate MACC's investigation.
Both had also surrendered their passports to the court.
In defending the bail amount, deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Anas Mahadzir said the sum was based on the seriousness of the offence.
Anas said the scenario has changed, stressing that there is a risk of them taking flight now that they have been charged.