Deepak's name was mentioned because of a picture of him - Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali told the High Court here today that he mentioned Deepak Jaikishan's name in his speech at the "Ceramah Perdana: Solidariti Menentang Kezaliman" gathering last year because of pictures of the businessman and a minister together.

Mohamed Azmin, 60, said one of the pictures showed Deepak sitting beside Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, on a flight to India and another of them together in a 'buggy' vehicle.

"I maintain my answer. When I mentioned 'Deepak', 'what is Deepak's role?" it is a question. This was after the pictures were spread throughout the country.

"There is no denial from the minister and Deepak. In the picture they are seen in the same plane, sitting next to each other and in the same 'buggy'...it is hard to believe it is a coincidence," said Mohamed Azmin when re-examined by his lawyer Muhammad Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid.

Gunaseelan: Is it because you want to show Deepak is involved in importing eggs?

Mohamed Azmin: I want to ask, not to say that he is involved. I want an explanation.

Gunaseelan. : If you want an explanation about egg import, you can ask without mentioning Deepak's name. Why do you mention Deepak's name?

Mohamed Azmin: The Honourable Minister (Mohamed Sabu) confirmed in Parliament that only one company is given the right to import chicken eggs. The question I raise is why is there a picture of Deepak with the minister in the same plane and 'buggy' on the way to India.

"I question the process of obtaining chicken eggs from India. I don't care which company gets it but I question the process, which is not transparent and not through open tender," he said.

The company claimed that Mohamed Azmin had defamed the company in his speech during the political talk at Taman Melewar, Gombak, on March 11 last year and the words were published by the print and electronic media, including YouTube.

It said that the claims by Mohamed Azmin were untrue as the company had never been involved and had no links with whatever direct negotiation by the Malaysian government.

-- BERNAMA

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