SHAH ALAM: A witness told the High Court that Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) had given RM1.3 million in funds to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in 2018.
David Tan Siong Sun, 47, who is the former administrative manager of the company, disclosed this when the company's ledger was shown to him during the corruption trial of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi involving the Foreign Visa System (VLN) today.
When asked by Ahmad Zahid's lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal who was the 'TSM' recorded in the ledger, the witness said: "Tan Sri Muhyiddin".
He then went on and told the court that the funds were given to Muhyiddin in cash payments on June 4, July 4 and Aug 23, 2018.
"On June 4, 2018, it was RM300,000; on July 4, it was RM500,000 and on Aug 23, it was RM500,000," he said.
Tan also confirmed that in 2018, Muhyiddin was the Home Minister (after Ahmad Zahid) and that the UKSB-VLN project was still under the Home Ministry's purview.
Ahmad Zaidi: Regarding TSM, I suggest to you, that the payments were made in relation to the VLN for the government of the day?
Tan: Yes, for the government of the day.
Apart from Muhyiddin, other names mentioned in today's proceedings were Khairy Jamaluddin, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal dan Datuk Seri Anifah Aman as they were also stated in the UKSB's ledger and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's forensic report.
Tan also confirmed that, based on the ledger, UKSB had given Khairy a total of RM3.7 million, while Reezal Merican, based on MACC's forensic report, had received between RM200,000 and RM300,000 from the company.
When asked whether Reezal Merican was the Deputy Foreign Minister at that time, the witness said: "I'm not sure."
Tan, however, agreed with the lawyer's suggestion that the 'MOR' and 'FM' stated in the ledger referred to the then 'Minister Of Rural' Mohd Shafie and 'Foreign Minister' Anifah.
Ahmad Zaidi: Most of the payments are political donations?
Tan: That's correct.
Ahmad Zaidi: Of course, (the payments) to Datuk Seri Zahid (Ahmad Zahid) are political donations too?
Tan: That's correct.
Meanwhile, the witness disagreed with Ahmad Zahid's other lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik's suggestion that he had abetted two former UKSB directors, Harry Lee Vui Khiun and Wan Quoris Shah Wan Abdul Ghani to commit corruption, money laundering, criminal breach of trust.
Ahmad 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 (OSC) 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.
For another seven counts, Zahid was charged as home minister to have obtained for himself S$1,150,000, RM3 million, EUR15,000 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 on July 25.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Jun 17 2022

A witness told the Shah Alam High Court that Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) had given RM1.3 million in funds to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in 2018. - Astro AWANI

China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.

Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.

Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.

Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.

UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.

Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.

More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.

Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.

Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream [COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.

Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.

Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.

US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.

Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.

China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.

Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.

Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.

Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts
Concerns grow over transparency, oversight, and Musk's influence on government operations.