The firm which was to receive a RM10 million commission for facilitating Felda Investment Corporation (FIC)'s purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel in Kuching said it surrendered RM9 million of that to "build trust" in Sarawak.

Sales agent JV Evolution Sdn Bhd's director Azizi Abdul Wahab told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he was told the amount was for a Sarawak political fund.