KL politician freed on bailed

KL politician freed on bailed

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A senior Malaysian politician's purported possession in Australia of close to US$ 1 million in undeclared currency grabbed the front pages of all local newspapers yesterday.

The local media was trying to reach Muhammad bin Muhammad Taib, chief minister of central Selangor state and a senior official of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ruling party -- who is believed to have returned to Malaysia -- for his comments.

The 51-year old Muhammad was on Monday charged in a Brisbane court, in Queensland state, with attempting to take out of Australia the equivalent of $990,000 in undeclared money, in Malaysian, Singaporean and New Zealand currency. He was on his way to New Zealand after a weeklong private stay in Australia.

Muhammad, described by the media as a wealthy and astute politician, was released on bail without pleading to the charge, and the case was adjourned to March 21. He was allowed to leave Australia in the meantime.

Malaysia's main opposition leader Lim Kit Siang was quick to raise questions over how and why Muhammad was alleged to be in possession of such a vast amount of liquid.