Penang CM remains silent over arrest of prominent ‘Tan Sri’ in the state

PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today ‘tai-chied’ away questions about the detention of a prominent ‘Tan Sri’ businessman by the police.

"Think you should ask the police about this and not me," he said.

He also said that questions about the ‘Tan Sri’ having links with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) should be directed to the development body.

“Just because I am the chairman (of PDC) … it does not mean I know everything,” he said.

It is believed that the businessman was awarded projects by the state government, including key infrastructure ones.

Penang's business community was earlier shocked when reports revealed that a ‘Tan Sri’ was detained by the police for alleged involvement in Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI) Group’s alleged money-laundering activities.

The police Anti-Money Laundering (AML) division had earlier also detained several businessmen from Penang, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur for questioning.

Apart from several businessmen, two leading lawyers here were also hauled up.

It is said that the controversial pyramid scheme which yielded high profits for the initial investors, is Penang's version to the high-level 1MDB money laundering scandal.

Penang-born MBI founder Tedy Teow Wooi Huat was deported to China from Thailand last year to assist the government there in its investigation into his role in MBI where many Chinese nationals were the apparent victims, largely because they were the late investors.

The police here are believed to be collaborating with their China counterparts on this money laundering scheme, which is believed to be in the billions.

It is believed that the recent police action to haul up several people was based on information provided by China following the detention of Teow.

At the height of his business empire, Teow controlled a major commercial and housing area in George Town together with a prime residential estate in Kulim.

His company also invested in many hotels and food enterprises which enjoyed links with the chambers of commerce in both Penang and Kedah, including developers. - March 27, 2025.