AMPANG: Newspaper reports, which were published in The Malay Mail in 2003, alleging that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) enforcement director Captain (R) Abdul Kudus Ahmad was involved in corrupt practices were never meant to threaten him.

A former Malay Mail journalist, V. Vasudevan, 45, said the reports were written based merely on what was said by Datuk M. Kayveas at a press conference that he attended in Rawang.

Vasudevan, who is now with the New Straits Times, said Kayveas, the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had told him he had proof to substantiate his claims.

The witness said he wrote a report entitled 'Enforcement Chief the One' which was front-paged on June 2, 2003, after Kayveas told him the person in question was Kudus.

"It was Kayveas who alleged that Kudus was corrupt.
"He also said Kudus was receiving about RM70,000 a month in bribes," Vasudevan said when questioned by counsel A. Sri Murugan at the Sessions Court yesterday.

"Kayveas also said that he had informed MPAJ of the corrupt practices six months ago (prior to the press conference) and alleged that the council's then president Ahmad Kabit was protecting Kudus."

Vasudevan said Kayveas, who was then Housing and Local Government deputy minister, did not show him any proof of the allegations.

He had told the press that he would give the proof only to the authorities.

Kudus, 45, is charged with 24 counts of corruptly receiving RM59,000 from Sri Steven Corner's owner S. Steven between May 2001 and May 2004.

Vasudevan, however, admitted that he never asked Kayveas if he had made any official complaint to authorities like the Anti-Corruption Agency or the police.

Sri Murugan: Whose idea was it to put 'It's Abdul Kudus' (in another report in The Malay Mail)?

Vasudevan: The editor.

Sri Murugan: Do you agree that by putting it in bold, it was to attract readers' attention and to sensationalise the story?

Vasudevan: Yes.

Sri Murugan: Is it fair to say that the press had concluded that Kudus was the one who took the bribes even before he was charged in court?

Vasudevan: Yes.

A Berita Harian journalist, Hussin Said, 32, also admitted that he had written a report, dated June 26, 2003, pertaining to the case after interviewing Kayveas at another event in Nilai.

Hussin, however, said that during the press conference, Kayveas did not mention Sri Steven's Corner.

Hearing continues on Sept 23, 24 and 25 before judge Noradidah Ahmad.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Nordin Hassan prosecuted.