KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told on Dec 12 that former deputy prime minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi received ‘political funds’ of RM1 mil through a cheque from Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd in January 2018.
The matter was disclosed by the assistant manager of Maybank, Harryade Mohamad Arbe, 46, when questioned by lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik representing Ahmad Zahid.
Hisyam: Can you read what was written at the back of the cheque?
Harryade: Political Fund to DPM (deputy prime minister)’ paid to Lewis & Co dated Jan 3, 2018.
Harryade also agreed to Hisyam’s suggestion that two other cheques from Profound Radiance for RM300,000 and RM700,000 and paid to Lewis & Co, the trustee for Yayasan Akalbudi, were meant for charity.
During the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Gan Peng Kun, the 26th prosecution witness said that on Jan 9, 2018, there was an inward cheque clearing of RM1 mil from Profound Radiance.
“The clearing was stated the company’s Maybank account statement dated Jan 31, 2018.
“I personally printed the account statement. I also signed the same certificate for the printing of the statement,” he said in his witness statement on the 12th day of the trial of Ahmad Zahid, who is facing 47 charges involving millions of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Harryade said on Aug 4, there was also an inward clearing for RM300,000 from the company’s account.
“From my understanding, the cheque was cleared on Aug 3, 2018, based on the date at the back of the cheque, but there was a technical glitch at Maybank and the cheque could not be read by the system.
“The money, however, was debited manually on Aug 4, 2018, and it was stated in the Profound Radiance’s Maybank account statement dated Aug 31, 2018,” he said.
The witness added that on March 15, 2018, there was also an inward cheque clearing for RM700,000 from Profound Radiance’s account.
“It was stated in the company’s Maybank account statement dated March 31, 2018, which I personally printed and signed,” he said.
Another prosecution witness, an executive at Tun HS Lee Public Bank branch, Rashidah Mohd Rahim, 44, told the court that there was a cheque for RM250,000 issued by Syarikat Jogabonito Jewellery and Diamonds to Lewis & Co on June 27, 2016.
An executive officer at the Kuala Lumpur branch of RHB Islamic Bank, Faiz Azfar Mohamad Azahar, 35, said there were 22 cheques totalling RM12.5 mil issued by three companies to Lewis & Co between December 2016 and February 2017.
“Transactions involving 10of the cheques totalling RM5 mil from Berani & Jujur Trading’s account were made on Feb 8, 2017, and 12 other cheque transactions from Mastoro Kenny IT Consultant & Services’ account involving RM7. 5 mil were made on Dec 8, 2016, and Jan 6, 2017,” the 24th witness said.
An assistant manager at Damansara Office Complex Maybank branch, Hasnizailawaty Sudin, 47, who is the 25th witness, said two inward cheque clearings involving RM6 mil from Sarana Kencana Sdn Bhd’s account were recorded on April 26, 2017, and paid to Lewis & Co the following day.
The court was also told that Ahmad Zahid earned a monthly salary and allowance totalling RM44,383.15 when holding that position from July 28, 2015 to May 9, 2018.
Daman Huri Nor, 55, Section Secretary (constitutional and parliamentary affairs) inthe Prime Minister’s Department, and the 22nd witness for the prosecution, said Ahmad Zahid’s basic monthly salary during that period was RM18,168.15, while he received a monthly allowance of RM26,215.
The witness further told the court that during Ahmad Zahid’s tenure as Home Minister effective May 16, 2013 until July 27, 2015, he received a monthly salary of RM14,907.20 and a monthly allowance of RM24,320.
“The allowances he received were based on allowances and privileges determined for the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Ministers ,” said Daman Huri during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Alif Ali.
The former deputy premier faces a total of 47 charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering, involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds totalling millions of ringgit.
Hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Feb 11 next year. – Bernama
