JUDGE Abu Bakar expressed relief that the defence had finally closed its case. The defence then applied for two months to file written submissions, citing the large volume of documents.
The judge fixed May 8 for the decision.
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He had earlier directed written submissions to be filed simultaneously by April 7 and set April 22 and 23 for oral submissions in reply.
Ag Mohd Tahir, 63, began defending himself on April 30, 2025, while his wife Fauziah Piut, 61, the second accused, gave an unsworn statement on Sept 26, 2025.
The third accused, former State Water Department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 72, defended himself on Oct 22, 2025.
Ag Mohd Tahir also called 12 defence witnesses, including former Chief Minister Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan, former Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan, former permanent secretaries Datuk Michael Emban and Datuk Pg Hassanel Pg Mohd Tahir, and two of his brothers.
The trio were first charged on Dec 29, 2016, and claimed trial.
The trial began on May 7, 2018, but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and several interlocutory applications.
The prosecution closed its case on May 16, 2024, after calling 46 witnesses. On Dec 4, 2024, the trio were ordered to enter their defence.
Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah face 33 counts of money laundering involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods.
Ag Mohd Tahir faces 11 charges under Section 4(1)(b) and one charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Fauziah faces 19 charges under Section 4(1)(b), and both face two joint charges under the same section.
The offences were allegedly committed at various locations, including an office in Kota Kinabalu, a house in Sembulan, and several bank branches between Oct 4 and Nov 4, 2016.
Lim Lam Beng faces four charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the same Act for allegedly possessing a Toyota Land Cruiser, RM200,000, RM1.9 million, and RM280,000 from proceeds of unlawful activities.
The offences were allegedly committed on Oct 13, Oct 22, Nov 7, and Nov 8, 2016.
Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were represented by counsel Datuk Ansari Abdullah and Noorsyazwani Sapri, while Lim Lam Beng was represented by counsel Baldev Singh.
