KUALA LUMPUR: A witness told former Felda chairman Isa Samad’s corruption trial today that he was told to carry a bag containing RM300,000 in cash to his brother in Kuching.
Retiree Roney Zaidel said his brother Ikhwan told him on Aug 20, 2015 to meet Ikhwan’s friend, Azizi Abdul Wahab and collect and bring home RM300,000 in cash.
“Azizi rang me later that day and said he would pass me the bag containing RM300,000. We agreed to meet at a restaurant in Setiawangsa.
“However, I did not open the bag and check if there was really cash inside,” he told the High Court hearing Isa’s RM3.09 million corruption trial.
Ikhwan was said to have given RM3.09 million to Isa for approving the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites, to which Ikhwan was then attached.
Ikhwan had earlier testified that he was in Kuching on Aug 20 and had therefore asked Roney to meet Azizi in Kuala Lumpur to collect the bag for him.
Azizi had earlier told the court that he passed RM300,000 in cash to Roney at a mamak restaurant on the same day as instructed by Ikhwan.
Roney said he took a flight back to Kuching the following day and informed Ikhwan upon landing that he had the bag with him.
“Ikhwan came to my house at Samariang, Kuching, on Aug 22 with a man. He introduced the man as Zahid, an officer from Felda, to me.
“Ikhwan then gave Zahid the bag. I did not know the reason why he gave Zahid the bag,” he added.
Questioned by Isa’s lawyer Salehuddin Saidin on whether he had any doubt as to what Azizi or Ikhwan had said about the cash, Roney said he trusted his brother.
Salehuddin: I am sure you checked the bag somehow. There are stories of people bringing drugs in bags. Did you really trust what was said?
Roney: I believed my brother and his friend.
The lawyer then asked if Roney had ever thought of the consequences of carrying a large sum of money, such as being detained by authorities.
Roney said he was not afraid and that he was willing to make the “sacrifice” for Ikhwan.
The hearing continues tomorrow before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali. Zahid is expected to testify.
Isa faces a charge of criminal breach of trust and nine counts of corruption for allegedly receiving over RM3 million at Menara Felda, Platinum Park, Persiaran KLCC between April 29, 2014 and Dec 11, 2015.
The CBT charge provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction, while the corruption charges allow for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of at least five times the amount of the bribe. - FMT
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