Former National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) director Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail told the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today that he believed 100 percent in businessman Shamsubahrin Ismail to provide advice and consultancy service to help restore the good name of the company and his family.

Mohamad Salleh, 65, said this was because Shamsubahrin used former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s name and he (Shamsubahrin) also had close ties with the police.

“We were indeed desperate (for the service of a consultant). So, we regarded a person sent by Dr Mahathir is a person of good character and can help the company, and also the family,” he said during examination-in-chief by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head of the prosecution unit, Abdul Razak Musa.

Mohamad Salleh, who is the 42nd prosecution witness, said he did not take drastic action against Shamsubahrin despite realising that he had been cheated because there was no proof to say that he (Shamsubahrin) was not a consultant.

However, he said NFC appointed another consultant after Shamsubahrin failed to do his job, despite payment having been made to him.

Mohamad Salleh was testifying at the trial of Shamsubahrin, who is facing 17 counts of money laundering, amounting to RM1.755 million, under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

Shamsubahrin, 46, is also facing five charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code, of cheating Mohamad Salleh into agreeing to pay him (Shamsubahrin) a fee for the same sum last year, in return for advisory and consulting services.

Meanwhile, 43rd witness, MACC Assistant Superintendent Mohd Shaufi Shaharuddin told the court that he recorded Dr Mahathir’s statement on the claim by Shamsubahrin that the former prime minister had asked him to help Mohamad Salleh.

“However, he (Dr Mahathir) denied the claim,” he added.

Mohd Shaufi, 28, also said that based on his investigations, it would be more apt to charge Shamsubahrin under Section 420 of the Penal Code, because the accused had cheated Mohd Salleh by telling him that the money which he received was to pay the police and the deputy public prosecutor.

“Apart from that, the accused also cheated Mohamad Salleh by bringing in several individuals in the consultancy team when they (the individuals concerned) know nothing about it,” he added.

The hearing before judge Rozilah Salleh continues on June 28.

- Bernama