In a statement, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the appeal was filed on May 25, less than a week after the Kota Kinabalu sessions court’s decision in the high-profile case.

MACC said the prosecution is also appealing against the discharge and acquittal of Tahir’s wife, Fauziah Piut, and former Sabah water department deputy director Lim Lam Beng on 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.

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.

On May 19, Tahir was convicted on all 12 money laundering charges, involving RM45 million. The court sentenced him to eight years’ jail on each charge, but ordered the sentences to run concurrently.

He was also fined RM284.3 million. If he fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional 78 months in prison.

However, the court allowed a stay of execution of the jail sentence and fine pending the disposal of his appeal at the High Court, with his existing bail maintained.

The court also ordered forfeiture applications involving all the accused to be postponed until the appeal process is completed.