KUALA LUMPUR: Two witnesses in the trial of former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman said the accused bought a Honda Civic Hybrid and completed the payment with just one cheque in 2013.
Sutera Auto Sdn Bhd account executive Rozana Khalid told High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin that the cheque issued by Tan Sri Shahrir Ab Samad was for RM118,485.
Rozana said she had cashed the cheque on behalf of the company, while being accompanied by an office boy, nine years ago.
She also told the court that she was never approached by the bank officers regarding the large amount cashed.
The 43-year-old witness was then asked by deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Azmi if it was common for customers to buy a car and fully pay for it in cash.
Rasyidah: You've worked in the company for 13 years. Is it common for customers to buy cars and pay in cash?
Rozana: From my experience, most probably, around one or two per cent of our customers did that. For example, in every 50 units of cars sold, maybe two or three customers paid fully in cash.
The witness also confirmed that the payment receipt and invoice of the purchase and car grant issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) showed that the car was registered under Shahrir's name
Earlier, Sutera Auto Sdn Bhd administrative executive officer Nurrul Hafizah Roslan confirmed that she had issued an invoice for the purchase after the payment was completed.
However, both witnesses revealed to the court that they were never approached or investigated by Inland Revenue Board (IRB) officers, about the purchase.
Shahrir, 72, is on trial on a charge of failing to declare to IRB the RM1 million he allegedly received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, nine years ago.
He was accused of not stating his real income in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013, which is a violation of Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967.
He allegedly committed the offence at the IRB office's Duta branch on April 25, 2014.
The offence falls under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 which carries a penalty of a maximum fine of RM5 million or a maximum five-year jail term, or both if convicted.
The trial continues.