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SHAH ALAM – The high court was today told that Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, former transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, and former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan were also given political donations by Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB).
Former UKSB administrative manager David Tan Siong Sun, 47, told the court this when cross-examined by lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, representing former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the corruption case involving the Foreign Visa System (VLN).
Tan, who is the 17th prosecution witness, said UKSB gave political contributions amounting to RM1.162 million to Shahril, RM7.85 million to Chan, and RM922,820 to Ong, who were given the code name “S Pat”, “Prof”, and “OKC” respectively, as written in the ledger book.
When questioned by Hamidi if Shahril was a good friend of “Wan Badak”, or former UKSB director Wan Quoris Shah Wan Abdul Ghani, and Khairy Jamaluddin, the witness said “True”.
Hamidi: “He is being paid monthly from that ledger?”
Tan: “That is correct.”
Hamidi: “It was for a political fund and general election?”
Tan: “Yes.”
Tan also agreed with Hamidi’s suggestion that Shahril, who is also a Umno Youth vice-chief, was also given the political contribution because of his close relations with Wan Quoris Shah and Khairy.
Meanwhile, when reexamined by deputy public prosecutor Zander Lim Wai Keong on why no police report was lodged against those who denied receiving political donations from UKSB, Tan said he had no intention of doing so as the monies had been given out and the court proceeding was ongoing.
Zahid is facing 33 charges of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from UKSB as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant and the then home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of the One-Stop Centre in China and the VLN system as well as to maintain the agreement to supply VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the Home Ministry.
On another seven counts, Zahid was charged as home minister to have obtained for himself S$1,150,000, RM3 million, €15,000 (RM68,180) and US$15,000 (RM66,817) 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 hearing before judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa continues tomorrow. – Bernama, July 25, 2022
