KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Water Department deputy director Teo Chee Kong claimed trial to 146 charges on money laundering involving RM32.93 million.
The accused, 52, pleaded not guilty to all charges framed under Section 4(1)(a) and Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
Sessions Court judge Nixon Kennedy Kumbong fixed RM1.5 million for bail with RM500,000 to be deposited in two sureties and ordered his passport to be surrendered.
He also ordered Teo to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission every Saturday between 8am and 8pm.
The judge set Jan 16 for case management.
Teo was arrested yesterday when giving his statement at the MACC here.
He arrived at the Kota Kinabalu court at about 10am and was seen covering himself with a maroon hood.
Teo, who is supposed to undergo a medical procedure at a private hospital here today, was accompanied by his family members.
On Oct 4 last year, he was arrested with his director Ag Tahir Ag Alip to assist in the investigation for alleged abuse of power and money laundering linked to contracts for RM3.3 billion worth of federal-funded projects awarded to the department since 2010.
MACC had seized RM114 million worth of assets, including RM53.7 million in cash stashed at the duo's houses and office, RM30 million stashed in foreign banks and another RM30 million in 127 land titles.
The Commission also seized nine vehicles worth RM2.7 million, jewellery worth RM3.64 million and designer handbags worth RM500,000.
Counsel Hamid Ismail said since Teo's release on Oct 17, he has been reporting to the MACC will full cooperation.
Teo is also represented by Roland Cheng.
MACC's deputy public prosecutor Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman had earlier suggested a RM10 million bail.