Zahid trial: Witness claims Dr M received RM2.6m via nephew
Former UKSB administrative manager David Tan Siong Sun, 47, said this during cross-examination by lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, representing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the former deputy prime minister’s Foreign Visa System (VLN) corruption trial, when the ledger in his laptop was referred to him...
A witness told the High Court in Shah Alam today that Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) gave a political donation of RM2.6 million to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Former UKSB administrative manager David Tan Siong Sun, 47, said this during cross-examination by lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, representing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the former deputy prime minister’s Foreign Visa System (VLN) corruption trial, when the ledger in his laptop was referred to him.
Asked by Zaidi if Mahathir had received political contributions, the witness replied: “Yes, and (also) the party (Bersatu)”.
He told the court further that the funds were paid through Mahathir’s nephew, Rahmat Abu Bakar, with the code "Kedahan" used as reference.
Zaidi: Why (did) you make a payment to Rahmat?
Tan: I believe it is for political funds.
Zaidi: That RM2.6 million was given to Rahmat to be given to Mahathir, is that correct, for political funds?
Tan: That’s correct.
Tan also told the court that UKSB had also given political contributions to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, through his (Muhyiddin) good friend Teo Wee Cheng, who is also SHH Resources Sdn Bhd director.
Political funds
The witness also agreed with Zaidi that the money received by Zahid was meant as political funds.
Zaidi: Do you see Mahathir and Muhyiddin in court next to Zahid?
Tan: No.
Zahid, 69, is facing 33 charges of receiving bribes totalling SG$13.56 million from UKSB for himself as home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of One Stop Centre service in China and the VLN system as well as to maintain the contract agreement to supply the VLN integrated system to the same company by the Home Ministry.
For another seven counts, Zahid was charged as home minister to have obtained for himself SG$1,150,000, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss Francs and US$15,000 in cash from the same company in connection with his official work.
He is charged with committing all the offences at Seri Satria, Presint 16, Putrajaya, and Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018.
The trial before judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa continues tomorrow.
- Bernama
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