Siti Nurhaliza's husband tells court of 'generous' RM10 million fund from Zahid to businessman

The husband of singer Siti Nurhaliza today spoke about Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's generosity, telling the High Court how the Umno president had given RM10 million through the Akalbudi Foundation to a company for investment purposes.

Defence witness Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, better known as Datuk K, said the RM10 million had been returned to the foundation, with interest amounting to RM69,722.65.

When questioned by the prosecution about how Zahid could have such an amount of money, Khalid said the politician had various financial resources as he had been a corporate figure, an entrepreneur, and a former banker.

"The long period of acquaintance made me close to Zahid, and I know his nature and character. Among the qualities that I know of him is that he is generous and likes to help people who need help," he said.

Zahid is on trial for 12 charges of breach of trust, eight charges of corruption, and 27 charges of money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit in foundation funds.

Khalid also recalled how he and his wife performed the umrah together with Zahid and his wife several times.

On the RM10 million assistance from Zahid, Khalid said it was given to Armada Holdings, a company belonging to Wasi Khan @ Wasiyu Zama Israr, who is also a prosecution witness.

He said Wasi approached him over a plan to set up a coal-supplying company in Indonesia and needed a paid-up capital of RM10 million, a requirement by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in order to be registered as a supplier.

"Wasi Khan knows that I am a close acquaintance of Zahid and asked for my help to arrange a meeting for him with Zahid.

"I agreed and arranged a meeting for the two of us with Zahid at the latter's office at the home ministry in Putrajaya," he said.

Khalid said Wasi requested Zahid's intervention to ask TNB to reduce the amount of paid-up capital to RM5 million only, a request Zahid could not fulfil.

Zahid then agreed to make available the RM10 million to Wasi, adding that it was given as an investment.

"The RM10 million is intended solely to enable Armada Holdings to be eligible to bid for the tender as a coal supplier to TNB," he said.