The Kota Kinabalu sessions court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against Tahir beyond reasonable doubt, Berita Harian reported.

However, judge Abu Bakar Manat acquitted Tahir’s wife, Fauziah Piut, 61, and former Sabah water department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 72, of the same charges.

The court also acquitted Tahir and Fauziah of two joint money laundering charges.

Tahir, Fauziah, and Lim were jointly charged in 2019 with 37 counts of money laundering involving RM61.57 million and the unlawful possession of luxury items.

Tahir faced 12 charges and Fauziah 19 under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. They were also jointly charged on two counts.

The offences were said to have been committed by Tahir and his wife in Sabah and Kuala Lumpur between Oct 4 and Nov 4, 2016.

Lim, who faced four charges, was alleged to have been in possession of cash amounting to RM2.38 million between Oct 13 and Nov 8, 2016.