UKSB gave RM2.6 mln in political donations to Dr Mahathir - Witness

SHAH ALAM: A witness told the High Court here today that Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) gave a political donation of RM2.6 million to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Former UKSB administrative manager David Tan Siong Sun, 47, said this during cross-examination by Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, representing Datuk Seri Dr 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 Ahmad Zaidi if Dr 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 Dr Mahathir's nephew, Tan Sri Rahmat Abu Bakar, with the code 'Kedahan' used as reference.

Ahmad Zaidi: Why (did) you make a payment to Tan Sri Rahmat?

Tan: I believe it is for political funds.

Ahmad Zaidi: That RM2.6 million was given to Tan Sri Rahmat to be given to Tun 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 Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, through his (Muhyiddin) good friend Datuk Teo Wee Cheng, who is also SHH Resources Sdn Bhd director.

The witness also agreed with Ahmad Zaidi that the money received by Ahmad Zahid was meant as political funds.

Ahmad Zaidi: Do you see Tun Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin in court next to Datuk Seri Zahid?

Tan: No.

Ahmad 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, Ahmad 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