KUALA LUMPUR: A new twist emerged at Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s corruption trial today when a key witness revealed what could possibly be a vital piece of evidence.
As he took the witness stand, Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong produced a receipt from his wallet that he had allegedly received from Umno for a RM2 million political donation.
Earlier, Tengku Adnan’s lead counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan had asked Chai whether he had received any acknowledgement letter for the RM2 million payment, which was made to Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd.
Chai, who is the 19th prosecution witness, said: “Yes, it is in my pocket now” before he took out his wallet and handed the receipt to the court.
Tan, who appeared shocked, examined the receipt and then requested that it be tendered as a defence exhibit before he continued with his cross-examination.
However, deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim objected to it.
Chai said the receipt was given to him by Tengku Adnan, two days after he had handed over the cheque at the latter’s office.
Tan: The receipt was given to you by Umno for your RM2 million donation for two by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar?
Chai: Yes.
Tan: Does the cheque’s number appear on the receipt?
Chai: Yes.
Tan: Why you keep the receipt in your wallet?
Chai: I usually keep important documents, for example my pistol’s licence and praying amulets, in it.
Chai said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had ask for the receipt, but he could not remember where he had placed it, at the time.
“They asked for the receipt when I was called to give a statement for the first time.
“After I answered that I cannot remember where I put it (receipt), they did not ask about it again,” he said.
The prosecution, in its opening statement, had alleged that there was a conflict of interest between Tengku Adnan’s position as the then federal territories minister and Aset Kayamas’s property development activities.
Aset Kayamas was founded by Chia in 2011, with a focus on housing development projects.
Chai, in his witness statement tendered in court yesterday, confirmed that he had paid RM2 million to Tadmansori Holdings after Tengku Adnan told him that Umno needed between RM5 million and RM6 million for by-elections.
Chai who has known Tengku Adnan since the 1980s, when the former was involved in the timber industry, said: “I did not know who owned the company. I also did not ask him why I needed to channel the funds to Tadmansori Holdings and not directly into Umno’s account,” Chai said.
He also revealed that he had given “political donations” to other political parties.
Tengku Adnan is charged with accepting RM2 million from Chai, whom he knew had a connection with his official function, via a cheque belonging to Aset Kayamas, which was deposited into a bank account belonging to Tadmansori Holdings, in which the accused had an interest.
He allegedly committed the offence in his capacity as a public servant, which was the federal territories minister, at CIMB Bank Bhd, Pusat Bandar Damansara branch, level 1, Lot A4, Block A, Pusat Bandar Damansara, here, on June 14, 2016.
The hearing continues.