Enough evidence to show Zahid received bribes amounting to millions – DPP

(NST) – The prosecution in Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial today argued enough evidence had been adduced to show that he corruptly received a substantial amount of money from several entities when he was Home Minister.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Gan Peng Kun also rebutted Zahid’s contention that millions of ringgit given to the latter was nothing more than a political donation.

On the contrary, he said the prosecution had shown RM13.25 million which Zahid received was an inducement to help a passport chip supplier secure projects linked to the Home Ministry.

Gan submitted that there was sufficient evidence to prove Zahid had also received another RM8 million bribe from two companies – Data Sonic Group Bhd and Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd.

Data Sonic, he said, had earlier secured multi million ringgit worth of contracts from the Home Ministry to supply passport chips while Profound Radiance had secured two contracts to operate One Stop Centres in Nepal and Pakistan for foreign visas application.

“The established facts show that not only were these contracts under the purview of the Home Ministry, but more importantly, the accused had the final say in awarding the contracts,” he said.

On the issue of political donation, the DPP questioned why companies which had dealings with a minister who was instrumental in giving out contracts to supply passport chips, had given the money to him instead of other ministers.

He also noted that the cheques issued by the so-called donors were made payable to a law firm which had nothing to do with Barisan Nasional (BN).

“If it is true the money was meant to be a political donation, the cheques should be made payable to BN, instead of being credited into the law firm’s bank account.

“Therefore, it is humbly submitted that the circumstantial evidence points to the conclusion that the money was a gratification to Zahid as a reward for him in playing a role as the Home Minister and giving the contracts to the company to supply passport chips,” he said.

Zahid is on trial for a total of 47 charges, 12 of which are for criminal breach of trust, eight for bribery and 27 for money laundering involving millions of ringgit.

The DPP will continue with his submission before High Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah tomorrow.