Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun denied in court today that he used his position as a company director and businessperson to fund his campaign in the Umno party election in 2013.

Instead, Khairul told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, that the money came from his own savings and contributions from his family.

“In October 2013, I contested for the deputy chief post and met many delegates before that. It involved mobilisation every month, such as to pay for accommodations, flight tickets, car rentals, fuel and so on.

“All these costs needed to be paid, and it came from my own savings and from my family.

“So I didn’t use my relationship with Erwan Azizi or my position, as asked by the defendant,” Khairul testified during his re-examination by his counsel M Reza Hassan today.

Today is the last day of the hearing on Khairul’s defamation suit against Pandan MP Mohd Rafizi Ramli (photo), before judge S Nantha Balan.

During cross-examination by Rafizi’s counsel William Leong, the lawyer had repeatedly raised questions on Khairul’s financial capabilities and business relations, including his election campaign expenses.

Of particular interest was Erwan, who is one of the directors of a company that held a Melbourne property that was allegedly purchased by Mara Inc at an inflated price.

However, Khairul told the court today that he did not even know Erwan until October or November 2014, when Erwan became a director in Biosys Group Bhd, where Khairul was also a director.

Mara Inc’s controversial purchase of its Melbourne properties - including the one held by Erwan’s company - took place in 2013, which was before Khairul said he came to know Erwan.

During cross-examination, Khairul denied that he owed the public any explanation about his relationship with Erwan or his financial position, although he agreed that he is held to a higher level of scrutiny due to his position as a politician.

During his re-examination, Khairul lamented that he is being held to account by Rafizi, although he had no involvement in Mara’s property scandal.

Allegations caused him great shame

“You honour, when I was referred to the statement (by Rafizi), I am of the opinion that I don’t know anything about the allegation or the transactions. I am not directly or indirectly involved with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) or any of its companies.

“With such lack of information, can I be the one to answer all these allegations?” he said.

He pleaded to the judge to give him justice, because Rafizi’s allegations on July 6 last year had made it difficult for him to earn a living through his business.

Since the allegations were made, Khairul said, his associates, bankers and family members would ask him about it when they meet, and the ordeal has caused him great shame.

Although he is a politician, he has to earn a living through his businesses, unlike Rafizi, who has a regular income through this remuneration as a Member of Parliament.

Switching uncharacteristically from the Malay language to English, he said, “I need justice to be served, so that I can continue with my work and my life as before.”

Khairul added that prior to Rafizi’s statement on July 6, Umno Youth had already discussed the scandal and was in the process of seeking clarification through internal channels, namely though ministers and ministries.

Rafizi had previously claimed in the press statement and a press conference on July 6 last that Erwan had ties with two Umno Youth leaders, one of whom is Khairul.

Khairul had denied involvement in the scandal later that day, and sued Rafizi after Rafizi refused to refused to apologise for his accusation.

The Justice Nantha told lawyers for the the plaintiff and defendant to file written submissions by July 29.

He then fixed Aug 1 for oral clarifications of the submissions, and said the date for the court’s decision would be set on that day.