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SHAH ALAM – The source of money allegedly given to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) need not be proven, the high court here was told today.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran said instead the court needed to consider the proof provided that Zahid had solicited the money while he had no right to use his position as a minister to obtain the money.
She said the main prosecution witnesses were three former directors of UKSB – Harry Lee Vui Khiun, Wan Quoris Shah Wan Abdul Ghani and David Tan Siong Sun – who stated that the source of the money came from the agreement reached between UKSB and companies in Hong Kong and Labuan.
“Our witnesses (Lee, Wan Quoris and Tan) were not lying but admitted that UKSB had no money, hence needed help from its business friends in Hong Kong.
“We have shown that there had been an agreement with the business friends in Hong Kong and this was confirmed by Tan and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer, V. Mahendran.
“That is not the point to consider seriously, whether or not the money came from seventh heaven,” added Raja Rozela in her submission at the end of the prosecution’s case.
Earlier, Zahid’s counsel, Hamidi Mohd Noh, questioned the source of UKSB’s money that had been given to the Umno president as there had been no representatives of the Hong Kong companies called to give evidence.
“The 15th, 16th and 17th witnesses (Lee, Wan Quoris and Tan) had said that the money given was not from UKSB. So, where did it come from? If the sources were companies in Hong Kong, witnesses from there should be called to confirm the matter, including the sum of money.
“The company directors should be called to testify. They need to prove whether the sum of money exists or not; this is basic. What we have now are only testimonies from three prosecution witnesses.
“If the source is not proven, how (can it be stated) that the money exists? In this case, there are no indications to state that the money exists. There have been no statements from Hong Kong,” she said.
The prosecution had offered 27 witnesses, including the directors of a number of companies in Hong Kong such as Maintech System HK Limited director Chong Kian Leong @ Raymond and VisaMalaysia Ltd director Fong Mee Yee.
High court judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa has set September 23 for a decision on whether Zahid will be freed of the 40 corruption charges or ordered to enter his defence.
The prosecution team comprised Raja Rozela, Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Abdul Malik Ayob, Zander Lim Wai Keong and B. Thavani while Zahid was represented by counsels Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal and Hamidi.
Zahid is facing 33 charges of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from UKSB as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant and the then home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of one-stop-centres in China and the foreign visa system (VLN) system as well as to maintain the agreement to supply the VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the Home Ministry.
On another seven counts, he was charged with obtaining for himself S$1,150,000, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss Franc (RM68,637) and US$15,000 (RM67,552) from the same company, which has links with his official duty.
He is accused of committing all the offences at Seri Satria, Presint 16, Putrajaya, and Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018. – Bernama, September 7, 2022
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