Ditamas director admits he used to deal directly with Khir

Ditamas boss Shamsuddin Hayroni says he often met the former menteri besar on business matters.

SHAH ALAM: Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni told the High Court here today that he used to deal directly with former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.

Shamsuddin, who owns several companies involved in construction and property development, said he often met Khir on business matters and that as a businessman, he (Shamsuddin) told Khir about his company, the company’s proposal and work progress of projects carried out.

The projects, he said, included building a house at Bandar Baru Bangi, which was carried out by his company, Roniaga Sdn Bhd.

“The projects are going smoothly. There are three phases altogether. Phases one and two are completed, while the third phase is ongoing,” he added.

Shamsuddin, who had known the former menteri besar since 2000, was testifying in the trial of Khir who is accused of acquiring for himself and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, 45, two plots of land and a bungalow in Shah Alam from Ditamas through Shamsuddin.

Khir is said to have paid RM3.5 million for the property in Section 7 here which Ditamas had bought on Dec 23, 2004, for RM6.5 million.

The offence is said to have been committed at the official residence of the menteri besar in Jalan Permata here on May 29, 2007.

Last Monday, the Shah Alam High Court acquitted and discharged Shamsuddin on a charge of abetting Khir in the land deal.

Questioned by deputy public prosecutor Abdul Wahab Mohamad, Shamsuddin, who is the second prosecution witness, said he did request for an extension of a project and the letter was addressed to the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) general manager.

“I handed over the letter to Khir myself,” he added.

To a question that the two plots of land and the bungalow were sold to Khir at a low price, Shamsuddin said the properties belonged to the chief executive of Syarikat Pemodalan Kebangsaan Bhd, Saiful Aznir Shahabudin.

Shamsuddin said he found out that Saiful Aznir wanted to sell the properties from a friend, Sumadi Ismail.

“Sumadi and I went to see the house and Saiful Aznir offered to sell it for RM7 million. I think that was too high,” he added.

Earlier, Saiful Aznir, who is the first prosecution witness, said he sold the two plots of land to Shamsuddin in December 2004 for RM6.5 million.

He also said that before selling the land to Shamsuddin, Khir and Zahrah went to see the house at Lot 8 and then asked for the price.

When told that the price was RM7 million, Khir said it was too high, he added.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

- Bernama