6 Dec 2010

Khir Toyo charged with graft

Ex-Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been charged with corruption, alongside Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni.A confident looking Mohd Khir, 45, and Shamsuddin, 52, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out in the Shah Alam Sessions Court about 12.20pm.Mohd Khir was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, with knowingly accepting a bribe, in form of two plots of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, for his mansion (left), at a substantial discount from Shamsuddin.

Shamsuddin was charged under the same provision, as well as under Section 109 of the Penal Code for allegedly abetting Mohd Khir. The land was said to have been sold to Mohd Khir for RM3.5 million, although Shamsuddin had bought it for RM6.5 million.
The prosecution is led by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail who applied for bail to be set at "no less than RM1 million"."Being in high office does not mean different rules apply, in fact (they) should be more accountable," Abdul Gani told the court.
 
"Being a representative of the people and in high office demands more. I would dare say that nothing less than RM1 million be set for each of the accused as anything less would be totally unjust."He also noted that his office had been "at pains" to make sure the investigation into the case had been carried out with the utmost fairness and that all laws were observed leading to the arrest of the duo this morning.Judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Azhanis then set bail at RM750,000.
Abdul Gani was assisted by A-G Chambers' head of prosecution Tun Majid Tun Hamzah and DPP Zulkifli Abbas.Mohd Khir was represented by M Athimulan and Afifuddin Afifi.

Statement taken

It is learnt that the Mohd Khir and Shamsuddin were questioned this morning by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at its head office in Wisma PKPS in Shah Alam.
Mohd Khir was detained at 9am, at his office in Shah Alam.MACC prosecution head Abdul Razak Musa arrived at the court about 11.10am before heading straight to the DPP's chambers.
Mohd Khir arrived about 11.25am in a black Harrier, with his security detail following in a Proton Perdana.The MACC has been probing the case following allegations brought to public attention by Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim.

Ng has claimed that the 50,000 sq ft property was constructed at an estimated cost of RM20 million while the land was bought for RM3.8 million.Mohd Khir has strenuously denied the allegations, saying he purchased both house and land for RM4 million. He has since sued Ng for defamation.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/150062

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