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.