A director of MTM Network Sdn Bhd told the High Court today that he contributed RM6.6 million to Yayasan Akalbudi belonging to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi through several cheques to ‘secure a job’.
Ng Hong Sing, 56 said the contribution was also an introduction between himself and the former deputy prime minister.
Ng said this when reading his witness statement on the 26th day of Ahmad Zahid’s trial on alleged corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving millions of ringgit in funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.
The 79th prosecution witness said he had asked a friend to introduce him to Datuk Ruzi, who was said to be a strong man in Bagan Datuk, Perak, and was also close to the accused.
“In January 2016, Ruzi told me that he could introduce me to the accused (Ahmad Zahid), but I must make a contribution to the latter’s Yayasan Akaludi ‘to get the job’,” Ng said.
The businessman said a week later, he and Ruzi went to the accused’s house and told Ruzi that he could only contribute RM3 million.
“When I arrived at the accused’s house, there were a lot of people waiting to see him. After Ruzi introduced me to the accused, Ahmad Zahid thanked me for the contribution.
“I told him I was willing to donate RM3 million and the accused said as for the rest of the dealings, I could contact Ruzi,” he said, adding that the meeting lasted about five to six minutes.
Ng said Ruzi then told him that he (Ruzi) could get a bigger project if he donated more (higher amount) to Yayasan Akalbudi, to which the witness replied that the most he could give was RM6 million.
“Around February 2016, Ruzi contacted me and asked about the contribution. I negotiated with Ruzi that I could pay the RM6 million in instalments within a year as the company did not have enough money,” he said.
During the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Harris Ong Jeffry Ong, the witness said the financial resources (for contribution) were received as loans from his friends.
Harris Ong: Until today, have you received any returns?
Ng: None.
However, during cross-examination by lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, Ng agreed with him that the contribution made was not deemed as corruption, but it was for charity.
The witness also agreed that Ahmad Zahid did not promise anything (project) from the contribution and the words (about project) only came from Ruzi.
Ahmad Zahid, 67, is facing 47 charges, with 12 of them involving criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.
Earlier reports:
Jul 14, Zahid’s Trial: MyEG Director Gave RM9M to Zahid’s Foundation
Jul 3, Zahid’s Trial: More than RM1 Million in Cheques Issued to Yayasan Akalbudi Trustee
Jun 18, Zahid’s Trial: Contractor Says Zahid Paid Him RM1.4M Cash, No Records
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: After RM1.3M Blank Cheque Revelations, Witnesses Put Blame on Omar Ali
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Wife Signed Blank Cheque Book for Moneychanger Husband’s Use
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Contractor Tells Court of Dealings with Zahid’s Proxy
Jun 17, Zahid’s Trial: Brother Cited Zahid as Having Paid RM5.9M for Country Heights Bungalows
Jun 16, Zahid’s Trial Brother Bought 2 Properties Worth RM5.9M Using Foundation Money
Jun 15, Zahid’s Trial: RM25M Banked into Proxy’s Account
Mar 6, Zahid’s Trial: Cheques Issued Meant for Moneychanger Ended up in Proxy Account
Mar 3, Zahid’s Trial: RM99M Worth of Cheques Went into Foundation’s Trustee Account
Feb 20, Zahid’s Trial: Businessman Insists RM2 Million Donations to Zahid, Not Bribery for Contracts
Feb 19, Zahid’s Trial: Alleged RM6M Political Donation
Feb 15, Zahid’s Trial: Zahid Directed That Datasonics Passport Chips to Be Used
Feb 13, Zahid’s Trial: Under-Performing Firm Allowed to Resupply Passport Chips
Feb 12, Zahid’s Trial: Foundation Never Audited Its Accounts or Filed Financial Reports with SSM
Feb 11, Zahid’s Trial: Former DPM Signed 51 Foundation Cheques Worth RM31M
Dec 13, Zahid’s Trial: Earned RM44,383 a Month as DPM
Dec 12, Zahid’s Trial: RM360K All Went Towards Voter Registration, Not to Print Quran
Dec 10, Zahid’s Trial: Firm Received RM360K from Zahid’s Charity Body for Voter Registration
Dec 10, Zahid’s Trial: Insurance, Road Tax for His 20 Vehicles Paid with Foundation Funds
Dec 5, Zahid’s Trial: 39 Insurance Policies Totalling RM72K for 20 Vehicles
Dec 3, Zahid’s Trial: Couple Owns 18 Luxury Vehicles
Dec 2, Zahid’s Trial: Wife’s Credit Cards Used for LV, Harrods, Armani, RM250K Spending Limit
Nov 21, Zahid’s Trial: Day Four
Nov 21, Zahid’s Trial: Day Three
Nov 20, Schoomate: I Signed Blank Cheques on Zahid’s Order,
Nov 19, Zahid’s Trial: Day Two
Nov 18, Zahid Embezzled RM31M Meant for the Poor