[UPDATED] Zahid requested S$13.56 mil in donations from two UKSB ex-directors: witness

SHAH ALAM – Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made requests to two Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) ex-directors for political donations totalling S$13.56 million (RM43.8 million) to Umno, a prosecution witness told the high court here today.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer V. Mahendran said the monthly payments made by UKSB to Zahid totalled SG$13.56 million between October 2014 and March 2018, based on cash transactions recorded in a ledger owned by UKSB.

“The ledger was prepared by David Tan using Microsoft Excel on his laptop, to record UKSB’s money coming in and going out (of its accounts).

“In the ledge, Tan used codenames for Zahid such as Monster, Mon, YB, Young Boy, ZH and Z.”

Mahendran added that the ledger contained proof of payment to ministers, politicians and government officials.

Earlier, Mahendran said in his witness statement that Zahid’s requests were made to Harry Lee Vui Khiun and Wan Quoris Shah Wan Abdul Ghani at the Umno president’s residence in Country Heights, Kajang.

Lee and Wan Quoris Shah are also the 15th and 16th prosecution witnesses in Zahid’s corruption case over the Foreign Visa System (VLN).

Mahendran said Zahid wielded substantial power and influence in policy making, especially in the Home Ministry being the then minister, reported Bernama.

“UKSB agreed to give political donations with the aim of protecting its business as there were other companies lobbying for the work UKSB was doing relating to the visa system.

“Investigations found that cash given monthly to Zahid was prepared by Tan (former UKSB administration manager David Tan Siong Sun) on Harry Lee’s instructions.”

He added that Tan’s role was ensuring UKSB had enough money to fulfil Zahid’s demands.

Mahendran said based on the testimonies of Lee, Tan and Wan Quoris, cash payments for Zahid were placed in envelopes.

“The handing over of cash would be made every month according to Datuk Seri Zahid’s convenience but usually at 10pm in Seri Satria, Putrajaya which was his official residence, and in Country Heights.”

He added that Wan Quoris’s main role as UKSB director was focused on the company’s public relations work and not any technical aspects.

“Wan Quoris’ appointment was meant to grow the company business via lobbying to get supply and services contracts from the Malaysian government.”

Previously, Wan Quoris told the court that the money given to Zahid was to strengthen the company’s position as a Home Ministry contractor, in addition to securing Zahid’s assistance to reduce interference from its competitors.

Zahid, 69, 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 company’s contract as the operator of One-Stop Centre in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain the agreement to supply VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the Home Ministry.

On another seven counts, Zahid was charged, as the home minister, to have obtained for himself S$1,150,000 (RM3.7 million), RM3 million, €15,000 (RM68,130) and US$15,000 (RM66,727) in cash from the same company in connection with his official work.

He is charged with committing all the offences at Seri Satria, Presint 16, Putrajaya, and Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018. – The Vibes, August 10, 2022