Accusations of 'fabricating tales' rang out in the corruption trial of former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, as the politician was questioned as the first defence witness.

He told the Shah Alam High Court today that two of his accusers had lied in their earlier testimony.

NONE "(Landscape artist) Nasir (Ismail) was involved in a quarrel with me. Of course he wanted to humiliate me,” Khir (right) said when questioned by lead defence counsel M Athimulan.

“(Ditamas director) Shamsuddin (Hayroni) was accused together with me in the beginning and he changed his statement (and was acquitted)."

Nasir was allegedly angry because Khir had “withheld a balance payment of RM200,000" from the landscaper, for failing to finish electrical wiring works to the property as per an agreement they signed in 2007.

The dispute turned into a "big argument" which resulted in Nasir taking materials out of the building site. Khir said he had to change the power gate to prevent the same thing from happening.

NONE Shamsuddin had testified that Khir had exercised undue influence on him using his position to coerce him into buying the mansion and then selling it at a heavily discounted price. The businessman said he feared disruption of his projects involving state- owned companies.

Nasir had supported Shamsuddin's allegations, testifying that Khir had engaged him as a contractor well ahead of the purchase of the house in 2007 and appointed the Ditamas director as his agent.

Both had alleged that Khir paid out nearly RM6.5 million for renovation works in cash, a claim he has denied.

Khir is charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code for allegedly misusing his post while a civil servant to acquire wealth.

He is accused of purchasing a mansion located on Lot 8 and 10 off Jalan Suasa in Section 17 Shah Alam for less than its market value, in return for favours and special considerations to Shamsuddin in the developer's business dealings with the state.

Khir denies lying

During cross-examination, lead DPP Abdul Wahab Mohamad turned the tables on Khir, accusing him instead of 'fabricating tales' in his testimony.

Khir remained adamant that he was right and the other witnesses had lied.

khir toyo mansion 060709 08 Abdul Wahab disputed that Khir's quarrel with Nasir was as bad as it was made out to be, adding that if the matter was serious the politician would have reported the landscaper to the police for the 'removal' of the materials.

Khir countered by answering that he had not reported the matter in order to protect his name.

Abdul Wahab also posited that Khir had "conspired" with valuer Choy Yue Kwong from valuation firm Rahim & Co, using his considerable influence to fix the valuation of the house at RM3.5 million.

However, Khir denied this.

The hearing will resume from Oct 31 to Nov 3.