I never used RM6m political donation for personal benefit - Zahid

 

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he had never used the RM6 million allegedly received as a political donation from Datasonic Group Berhad (DGB) deputy managing director Chew Ben Ben for personal benefit.

In fact, the former deputy prime minister said he never deposited the money received through two cheques into his personal accounts as he had instead handed over the money to legal firm Messrs Lewis & Co, the trustee of his Yayasan Akalbudi foundation.

Zahid repeatedly stressed that he chose not to deposit the money into his accounts or use it for personal benefit.

“Even though at that time I was holding the post of deputy president (of Umno) and that money could have been used for political purposes, I chose neither to use it for politics nor personal purposes, but instead to channel it to charity, waqaf (land donated for religious or charitable purposes) and religious activities.”

He said this during cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob in his defence trial over 47 charges including 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption, and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to the foundation.

‘Politician can decide’

To Malik’s question on why the RM6 million alleged political donation was not deposited into Umno or BN’s accounts, Zahid said it was “not necessary (to do so).”

“If a politician receives a political donation, the money doesn’t necessarily need to be deposited into his party’s account as nowhere on the cheque were the words ‘donation for political party’ written.

“But if the money was given to a politician, he has the discretion to deposit it into his own account or any other account he deems fit,” he added.

Zahid also disagreed with Malik’s suggestion that the RM6 million he received from Chew was a bribe.

Based on the 14th and 15th charges, Zahid is alleged to have received bribes amounting to RM6 million from Chew as a reward for appointing DGB’s subsidiary Datasonic Technologies Sdn Bhd.

The company was appointed to implement a passport chip project for a period of five years or for a total of 12.5 million chips to be included in the polycarbonate biodata page of Malaysia's international passport by the Immigration Department through direct negotiations under the Home Ministry.

The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.

- Bernama