AHMAD Zahid Hamidi contributed RM5.9 million to Yayasan Al-Falah for the purchase of two bungalows in Country Heights, Kajang using a cheque from Messrs Lewis & Co, a trustee of Yayasan Akalbudi belonging to the former deputy prime minister, the Kuala Lumpur High Court was told today. 

Lawyer and Yayasan Al-Falah board of trustees member, Faisalludin Mohamat Yusuff, 43, said Zahid’s brother, Mohamad Nasaee, who is also the board’s chairman, had told him this. 

He said this while being cross-examined by counsel Haziq Dhiyauddin Razali on the 22nd day of the trial involving Zahid, who is facing 47 criminal breach of trust, corruption and money-laundering charges involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

When asked the reasons for the property purchases, Haziq replied: “They were for religious purposes.”

He said he was informed by Nasaee the bungalows were bought to hold religious activities in Country Heights as the surau in the area was too small. 

“So far, religious activities are being conducted at the Lot 403 bungalow. The Lot 356 bungalow has not been renovated yet,” he said. 

Faisalludin also confirmed that Yayasan Al-Falah had received a Maybank cheque worth RM5.9 million, dated January 4, 2017, issued by Messrs Lewis & Co. 

“The cheque was given to me by Yayasan Al-Falah chairman (Nasaee) to be handed over to the seller, Lee Kim Tiong @ Lee Kim Yew, the director of Bee Garden Holdings Sdn Bhd,” he said. 

During reexamination by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi, the witness testified that Zahid had no interest in Yayasan Al-Falah.

“Yayasan Al-Falah was established for the Hamidi family while Yayasan Akalbudi is solely Zahid’s. That is the difference. Yayasan Al-Falah involves the larger and extended family, while for Yayasan Akalbudi, only Zahid,” he explained. 

For the 26th charge, Zahid is accused of money-laundering, by giving instructions with regard to the purchase of two bungalows for RM5.9 million using a cheque belonging to Messrs Lewis & Co.

The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow. – Bernama, June 17, 2020.