Bodyguard: Fertiliser brought 'Datuk T' together

A bodyguard connects the dots between a physiotherapist for VIPs, a Risda top official and an ex-senator who calls themselves 'Datuk T'. Claims made by a bodyguard to late deputy home minister Megat Junid Megat Ayob have provided clues on the links between three individuals involved in the screening of a sex video allegedly involving a senior opposition leader. Speaking to reporters today, cop-turned-bodyguard Mohmad Mahti Abdul Rahim, 53, claims that the main link between the three - who dubbed themselves as 'Datuk T' or 'Datuk Trio' - is fertiliser. He explained that businessman Shazryl Eskay Abdullah owns a fertiliser business, Aman Agroprenuers Sdn Bhd, based in Naka, Kedah and it is supplying fertiliser to the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda). Mahti alleged that Eskay had sought the help of the Risda chairperson, who happens to be former Malacca chief minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, to secure a fertiliser deal. According to a Aman Agroprenuers business card shown by the Mahti, Shuib Lazim, an ex-senator, is the company's advisor. A check on the company's website lists Eskay's phone number and contact details. (While Mahti allowed Malaysiakini to sight both sides of the business card, he refused to allow the underside of the card to be photograph to protect the identities of certain individuals.) Mahti said that he came to know about Eskay's relationship with Risda after being approached in January to lobby a top official at the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra). He claims that Eskay wants to also secure deals to supply his fertiliser to Felcra. Mahti said that he was uncomfortable with the arrangement and pulled out. Physiotherapist for VIPs Mahti also claims that he had introduced Eskay, then a physiotherapist for the Sidek brothers in the national badminton team, to his then boss Megat Junid back in 1996 when the latter needed therapy. Following this, Megat Junid introduced Eskay to then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim who required therapy for horseback riding-related injuries. “It was then that he became friends with (these people) and he often claims that Mahathir treats him like his son and that Anwar is like his brother. “It's true that he often visited Megat Junid at (the latter's) home. (Eskay) claimed Megat Junid was like a father to him but he did not visit Megat Junid even once when he was sick for a year. “It really saddened me,” said the man who served the deputy minister for 16 years. “Whether the video is authentic or not, I don't know. But what is happening now is blackmail.” Mahti had also testified for Eskay in the latter's suit against Merong Mahawangsa Sdn Bhd for breach of contract. Eskay is suing Merong Mahawangsa for RM20 million allegedly owed to him for lobbying government officials for the contract for the 'crooked bridge' project. - Malaysiakini