Datuk Ku Chin Wah, then Kuala Lumpur CID chief, speaking to reporters on August 6, 2013. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah owns 10 properties in Malaysia even though he used to earn just RM12,107.81 monthly, a deputy public prosecutor testified at Ku’s money laundering trial here today.

DPP Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah, who was testifying as a witness, also said the wife of the former high-ranking police official was earning RM8,000 a month, as he read out Ku’s declaration of assets at the Sessions Court here.

“For immovable properties, there is a terrace house in KK (Kota Kinabalu), Seri Kenangan apartment in Wangsa Maju, a house in Puchong, a low-cost shop in Kampung Sentosa, Serendah, a shop house in Bandar Permai Malacca, an apartment at Jalan Megah KL, a service apartment at Swiss Garden Residences, land for bungalow in KL, land for bungalow on Sabah, in Kundasang, and a service apartment in Bangsar South,” Mohd Asnawi told the Sessions Court here.

Ku also owns two plots of “land for bungalows” — one in Kuala Lumpur and another in Kundasang, Sabah, he said.

Not all the properties declared were in Ku’s name; some were registered to his wife.

DPP Budiman Lufti Mohamed, who was prosecuting, said Ku was being charged with money laundering because while he adhered to the notice asking that he declare his assets, he didn't reveal the source of income that allowed for the acquisition of the listed assets.

“The charge is because he failed to declare all his sources of income in the written statement under oath and affirmation. He didn't reveal the source,” he said.

According to Ku's declaration of assets, he and his wife owned three businesses and were also shareholders in many companies including Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Genting Bhd and F&N that added up to over RM646,000.

Ku also declared that he and his wife owned five cars, including a Peugeot 308 and a Hyundai Sonata.

Ku and his wife were also paying for 18 insurance policies for themselves and their two children.

The former KL CID chief was charged under Section 49(3) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 for failing to declare his acceptance of a “commission” amounting to RM961,500 in a sworn statement dated January 8, 2014.

If found guilty, Ku faces a maximum fine of RM1 million, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.