Actress Zahida Mohamed Rafiq’s former driver claimed that he was present when she made a bank deposit of RM1 million, said to have been received from Rural Development Minister Shafie Apdal.
Speaking to the media for the first time, Noor Azman Azemi (centre in photo), 38, claimed that this was the single largest cash deposit by Zahida that he had witnessed.
"I was surprised when I saw the amount of cash deposited as I did not know that she was carrying so much, (or) that the money that was given by my (then) employer (Shafie).
"Normally, Shafie would meet Zahida once a week where he (the minister) would give money. The amount varied from RM100,000 to RM200,000.
“But the most is the RM1 million deposited last year," said Noor Azman.
Speaking to the media for the first time, Noor Azman Azemi (centre in photo), 38, claimed that this was the single largest cash deposit by Zahida that he had witnessed."I was surprised when I saw the amount of cash deposited as I did not know that she was carrying so much, (or) that the money that was given by my (then) employer (Shafie).
"Normally, Shafie would meet Zahida once a week where he (the minister) would give money. The amount varied from RM100,000 to RM200,000.
“But the most is the RM1 million deposited last year," said Noor Azman.
His story came to light after he lodged a police report on March 13 in response to accusation that he absconded with RM200,000 of Zahida’s money.The contents of his police report wererevealed by PKR Women’s wing chief Zuraida Kamaruddin on April 18.
Since then, both Zahida and Shafie (left)have denied the allegations and threatened legal action.
Speaking at a press conference organised by PKR today, Noor Azman, an Umno Youth member, claimed Shafie had hired him to be Zahida’s driver three years ago that he had accompanied the actress each time she deposited money from the minister.
Noor Azman said his relationship with Zahida (left) had turned sour because he had allegedly supplied certain sensitive information about her to Shafie.
Noor Azman said his relationship with Zahida (left) had turned sour because he had allegedly supplied certain sensitive information about her to Shafie.
He said he had told Shafie about the matter because he could not bear with the burden of the information any more. Following this, he resigned as Zahida’s driver on Feb 29.
He claimed that Zahida lodged a police report against him three days later, accusing him of absconding with RM200,000.
However, he lodged a police report on March 13, claiming that Zahida had made a false police report against him.
"Subsequently I was remanded for three days by the police and questioned by the special branch," he said.
Noor Azman claimed that, upon his release, several unidentified individuals had harassed him and his house was broken into.
Also present at the press conference was Zuraida, PKR political bureau member Sivarasa Rasiah and party information chief Latheefa Koya and former Malay pop star Dayangku Intan.
He claimed that Zahida lodged a police report against him three days later, accusing him of absconding with RM200,000.
However, he lodged a police report on March 13, claiming that Zahida had made a false police report against him.
"Subsequently I was remanded for three days by the police and questioned by the special branch," he said.
Noor Azman claimed that, upon his release, several unidentified individuals had harassed him and his house was broken into.
Also present at the press conference was Zuraida, PKR political bureau member Sivarasa Rasiah and party information chief Latheefa Koya and former Malay pop star Dayangku Intan.
Dayangku Intan is a PKR member and is Noor Azman aunt.
Latheefa, who is Noor Azman’s lawyer, said she was surprised that her client had been questioned by the police special branch and not the criminal department.
She said that among the first questions asked was why Noor Azman had appointed her as his lawyer and also why he was lodging the report to tarnish the minister’s image.
“The police also offered Noor Azman another lawyer to settle the matter,” Latheefa said.
She said that among the first questions asked was why Noor Azman had appointed her as his lawyer and also why he was lodging the report to tarnish the minister’s image.
“The police also offered Noor Azman another lawyer to settle the matter,” Latheefa said.
She said the remand was not to find the truth of the matter but to cover up for Shafie.
Where did the money come from?
Latheefa also said PKR is not concerned over what was happening between Zahida and Shafie but about the source of the money.
Zuraida asked why the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have not started a probe into the source of the money as Shafie cannot have been making that much.
“An investigation should be launched as to where it comes from,” said the Ampang MP.
Sivarasa questioned why the police special branch was used for political purposes to protect the minister. He said they should have been investigating the minister rather than protecting him.
“The MACC can launch its own investigation into the matter based on the reports which have appeared in the media.”
Dayangku Intan said Noor Azman is like her own son and the two are very close.
Being a former artist, she said she knew of the affair between Zahida and Shafie but chose to remain silent until the actress lodged a report against Noor Azman.
“This is a matter of honour and integrity as Noor Azman and I are related to the Kedah royal household,” said the former singer whose real name is Tengku Intan Tengku Abdul Hamid.
Dayangku Intan also said that, while Noor Azman was under three days' remand, her husband had lodged a complaint with the Inland Revenue Department toinvestigate the source of the money.
It was learnt that the actress had not been declaring the source of income but investigations were hampered as she was backed by the minister.
Where did the money come from?
Latheefa also said PKR is not concerned over what was happening between Zahida and Shafie but about the source of the money.
Zuraida asked why the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have not started a probe into the source of the money as Shafie cannot have been making that much.
“An investigation should be launched as to where it comes from,” said the Ampang MP.
Sivarasa questioned why the police special branch was used for political purposes to protect the minister. He said they should have been investigating the minister rather than protecting him.
“The MACC can launch its own investigation into the matter based on the reports which have appeared in the media.”
Dayangku Intan said Noor Azman is like her own son and the two are very close.
Being a former artist, she said she knew of the affair between Zahida and Shafie but chose to remain silent until the actress lodged a report against Noor Azman.
“This is a matter of honour and integrity as Noor Azman and I are related to the Kedah royal household,” said the former singer whose real name is Tengku Intan Tengku Abdul Hamid.
Dayangku Intan also said that, while Noor Azman was under three days' remand, her husband had lodged a complaint with the Inland Revenue Department toinvestigate the source of the money.
It was learnt that the actress had not been declaring the source of income but investigations were hampered as she was backed by the minister.
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