Businessman says gave Khir Toyo discounts out of fear

Businessman says gave Khir Toyo discounts out of fear

UPDATED @ 05:41:49 PM 13-06-2011

By Boo Su-Lyn

June 13, 2011

Khir brought the properties at nearly half the price that Shamsudin had paid for them. — file pic

SHAH ALAM, June 13 — A company director told the High Court here today that he sold his mansion and two plots of land to Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for RM3.5 million despite buying the properties for RM6.5 million as he feared for his business in Selangor.

Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni testified in the corruption trial of the former Selangor mentri besar that Dr Khir had rejected his offer of between RM5 million and RM5.5 million, insisting instead on buying his properties in Section 7 here for just RM3.5 million.

"We have projects in Selangor, businesses in Selangor and a mentri besar wants my house for RM3.5 million," said Shamsuddin at the High Court here today.

"So we agreed. I was worried about my position as a businessman and I was afraid that my business would be threatened," he added.The 55-year-old construction and property developer said he was involved in ongoing property projects with state subsidiaries Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) in Bangi and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) in Sungai Long, Cheras.

Shamsuddin, who wore a black coat, said he bought the house and two plots of land in 2004 for RM5 million and spent RM1.5 million on renovations.

"Datuk Seri Khir Toyo asked me to buy (the properties)... he was interested in the house," Shamsuddin told a packed courtroom.

"I'm a businessman in Selangor. I have projects. So I felt I had no choice and I just proceeded," he said.

Shamsuddin added that Khir had engaged landscape artist Nasir Ismail to design the Umno politician's Balinese-style mansion.

Nasir testified last Thursday that he was paid more than RM6 million for the job, saying that he received five payments from Shamsuddin and eight from Khir of RM500,000 each.

Shamsuddin said today that he sold his properties to Khir, who previously helmed the country's wealthiest state for almost eight years, in 2007.

"I just wanted to give a small discount," said the businessman, when asked why he offered a selling price of RM5 million to RM5.5 million.

Shamsuddin pointed out that he had engaged a property valuer who estimated the value of his properties at RM5.5 million.

Khir, a former Selangor opposition leader, was charged with obtaining the two plots of land and the bungalow, which are located at No. 8 and 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1 L, Shah Alam, for himself and his wife Zahrah Kechik.

If found guilty, the Sungai Panjang assemblyman faces two years' jail, a fine, or both under Section 165 of the Penal Code.