In his written testimony, former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee described Anwar Ibrahim as a manipulative politician, who is difficult to deal with since his days in the BN.

Yong also told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur that the opposition leader offered a post of deputy prime minister to Borneo leaders if he could topple the federal government.

Yong, who now heads the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said he met Anwar in Hong Kong to determine if the latter had changed from being someone who was "not easy to deal with" and "not- sympathetic with Sabah" in the 1990s to a “better person”.

He was referring to the period when Anwar was deputy prime minister and Yong, the Sabah chief minister.

“I was also keen to learn if he had since changed following his imprisonment for corruption offences,” he said.

 

"But comparing his public speech with his private utterances and his manipulative style of pitting leaders (against one another), confirmed my view that Anwar has not changed," he said.

During the meeting, Yong claimed that Anwar told him that there would be at least one minister from among SAPP's two parliamentarians.

"Anwar also said that a deputy prime minister will be appointed from Borneo," he added.

Yong believes that Anwar was referring to Anifah Aman ( left) , who was also a senior cabinet member and capable of influencing at least three to four MPs, for the DPM post.

"I am aware of the fact that he was willing to make this offer to Anifah in gaining the latter's support," he said.

The High Court is hearing Anwar's RM100 million defamation suit against Foreign Minister Anifah.

 

Previously, Anifah testified that he was offered the deputy prime minister's post and RM100 million should he defect with several MPs.

The trial was presided by Judicial Commissioner Siti Khadijah Hassan Badjenid, while lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah represented Anifah. Ranjit Singh acted on behalf of Anwar.

 

In May 14, 2009, Anifah had told a press conference in USA that Anwar paid him to crossover to the opposition together with few BN MPs.

 

In May 27, 2009, Anwar filed a defamation suit against Anifah, both his capacity as individual and minister.

 

Yong had claimed he had discussions in length with Anwar either in end of April or early May, 2008.

 

But, the things brought up by Anwar sounded "familiar", as this was a attempt to repeat the 1994 Sabah state elections, which Anwar engineered the defections of the then PBS Sabah state government to BN, he said.

 

During the cross-examination, Yong admitted Anwar did not particularly pinpoint any name as a DPM.

 

He also claimed both the then premier's office and Sabah chief minister made attempts to keep him and his party with them by offering positions to him, which he deemed as "bribery".

 

"I was offered a senator’s post by Prime Minister's Office in June 2008, and the (Sabah) CM offered me a post as envoy to East Asean nations," he said.

 

"I rejected both offers as I saw this as bribery," he said, adding he wasn't made the offer because his services were needed, but out of fear of losing MPs from East Malaysia.

 

The trial is adjourned till tomorrow, starting 8.30am.