Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni was alleged to have bought two lots of land, including a bungalow, at Jalan Suasa 7/1L in Shah Alam from Syarikat Permodalan Kebangsaan Bhd chief executive officer Saiful Aznir Shahabudin at a price which was higher than the market price.

Fourth defence witness, Irhamy Ahmad, of Irhamy & Co, a valuation company, said the price of RM6.5 million for the property bought by Shamsuddin about seven years ago was unreasonable.

This, he said, was based on the valuation carried out by his company on the property on May 10, 2005 which was RM4.3 million.

“Before making the valuation, I received a copy of the sale and purchase agreement between Shamsuddin and Saiful Aznir, which stated the value at RM6.5 million, and felt that it was too high,” he said when questioned by lawyer Jaharbedeen Mohamed Yunoos in the High Court in Shah Alam today.

However, he said the documents did not in any way influence his valuation on the property.

He said his valuation on the property was made by comparing its value with other properties in the neighbourhood.

Irhamy said he also referred to the Valuation and Property Services Department when making his valuation of the property, which he said, had been issued with the Certificate of Fitness (CF).

“I saw the condition of the house was completed when I went to make the final valuation on the property,” he said when testifying in the trial of former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo who has been ordered to enter his defence on a charge with obtaining for himself and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, two lots of land and a house at No 8 & 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1L in Shah Alam  from Shamsuddin.

The property was purchased at RM3.5 million although Ditamas had bought it for RM6.5 million on Dec 23, 2004. The transaction was alleged to have been made when Dr Mohamad Khir knew that Shamsuddin had ties with his official duty as the Selangor menteri besar then.

Dr Mohamad Khir, who is the state assemblyperson for Sungai Panjang, is alleged to have committed the offence at the official residence of the Selangor menteri besar at Jalan Permata 7/1, Section 7 in Shah Alam on May 29, 2007.

‘Firm handled 50 evaluations a month’

Irhamy said his company handled about 50 cases of property valuation a month, and had so far, handled 8,000 cases with 80 per cent of them involving residential buildings.

Meanwhile, Rahim & Co managing director, Choy Yue Kwong, said the valuation carried out by the company on the two lots of land and a bungalow at Section 7 on May 14, 2007 was RM3.5 million.

“I didn’t know the owner of the house when the inspection took place for valuation purposes. The building was under reconstruction at that point of time,” he added.

Questioned by Jaharbedeen whether the offer of RM5.5 million made to buy the property was a reasonable figure, Choy said, “The market value is RM3.5 million, there is no reason to buy at RM5.5 million. If that's the case, you’re not prudent”.

The hearing before Justice Mohtaruddin Baki continues tomorrow.

- Bernama