UKSB gave Mahathir RM2.6 million in political donations, ex-admin tells court

A witness told the Shah Alam High Court today that Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) gave a political donation of RM2.6 million to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Former UKSB administrative manager David Tan Siong Sun, 47, said this during cross-examination by Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, representing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the former deputy prime minister’s corruption trial on the foreign visa system (VLN).

When referred to the ledger in his laptop and asked if Mahathir had received political contributions, Tan said: "Yes, and (also) the party (Bersatu)."

He also told the court that the funds were paid through Mahathir’s nephew, Rahmat Abu Bakar, with the reference code "Kedahan".

Zaidi: Why (did) you make a payment to Rahmat?
 
Tan: I believe it was for political funds.

Zaidi: That RM2.6 million was given to Rahmat to be given to Mahathir, is that correct, for political funds?

Tan: That’s correct.

Tan also told the court that UKSB had made political contributions to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, through Muhyiddin's friend Teo Wee Cheng, who is also SHH Resources Sdn Bhd director.
 
Tan agreed with Zaidi that the money received by Zahid was meant as political funds.
 
Zaidi: Do you see Mahathir and Muhyiddin in court next to Zahid?

Tan: No.

Zahid, 69, faces 33 charges of receiving bribes totalling S$13.56 million from UKSB for himself as home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of the one-stop service centre in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain the contract agreement to supply the VLN integrated system to the same company by the home ministry.

On another seven counts, Zahid was charged as home minister with obtaining for himself S$1,150,000, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs and US$15,000 in cash from the same company in connection with his official work.

He was charged with committing these offences at Seri Satria, Presint 16, Putrajaya, and Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018.

The trial before judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa continues tomorrow.