S'wak's Hornbill Skyways chief denies wrongdoing

The executive chairperson of Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd told the Industrial Court yesterday he was unaware that the company’s former general manager Mohamed Asharat Ramzan Ali had conducted an investigation into the questionable purchase of a Bell 206 helicopter in 2005.

Aidan Wing, who in 2005 was the executive director of Hornbill Skyways, said he could not remember whether Asharat had verbally presented the findings to him or the then-chairperson.

He denied any wrongdoing in the purchase of the Bell 206 helicopter, then priced at US$1.6 million.

“All these (purchases) were done through the board of directors. The marketing department introduced me to one Abdul Mutalib Abdullah (who assisted in the purchase of the Bell helicopter),” he told the Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court.

Wing (left) also agreed that the purchase of the Bell helicopter was allegedly “brokered” by Abdul Mutalib, whom he had met only once before. The deal was done by using a damaged Cessna aircraft worth US$80,000 as collateral.

“Abdul Mutalib was the introducer to the deal. The Bell 206 helicopter was purchased at US$1.6 million, and it was approved by the board. The payment was not signed by me only.”

Hornbill Skyways is a Sarawak state-owned company, and normally procedures may require it to undergo a tender process, and not direct negotiations.

Wing was testifying during the cross-examination by counsel Atan Mustaffa Yussof Ahmad, in the case of the alleged unlawful dismissal of Asharat who was employed by Hornbill Skyways between March 15 and July 13, 2005.

Asharat (right), 48, claims he was hired following two helicopter crashes by Hornbill Skyways in 2004, which had killed several people.

According to Asharat, he was dismissed after he discovered some questionable practices in the company.

Wing had testified earlier that two aircraft crashes were not a sign that the company was in trouble.

Asharat, who has a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Science in Air Transport from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, specialises in airline operations, airline and airport marketing, airport design, management and operation and aircraft accident investigation.

In an earlier testimony, Wing denied that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was involved in Ashrat's dismissal.

The industrial court case involves allegations of corruption and abuse of power by the Sarawak state government in the state-owned helicopter company.

Hornbill Skyways began as a private company in 1977 to service the vast interior of Sarawak.

It was taken over by the state gvernment through shares acquisition by Yayasan Sarawak and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) eight years later.

'Asharat supposed to report to me'

Wing, 57, who is also the Lembir assemblyperson, also complained that one of the reasons Asharat was dismissed because he failed to report directly to him but instead to the then-Hornbill Skyways chairperson Bujang Nor.

“He is supposed to report to me but he went to the chairman. As to why he goes to the chairman, I do not know. The claimant has failed in his duty, he is supposed to support me,” he said.

“In addition, I also heard a lot of talk, although I do not have formal evidence. I heard it from my staff and outsiders, and it is all against the claimant,” he said.

The witness also denied any wrongdoing in the purchase of a Citation X aircraft (right), for which Asharat had claimed a commission was paid.

Wing said it was not a commission but instead the company had obtained a US$250,000 discount.

He denied knowing that Asharat had informed company chairperson Bujang Nor over certain issues which were raised over the questionable purchase of the Citation X aircraft.

Asked by Atan Mustaffa whether it was true that Asharat was dismissed following him questioning the purchase of the Citation X aircraft, which was delivered sometime on June 27, 2005, Wing suggested it was perhaps a coincidence.

“He was sacked on July 13, 2005. It may have happened after the dealing over the Citation X aircraft,” he said.

Wing denied that Hornbill Skyways had terminated Asharat because he was questioning the purchases of Citation X aircraft and the Bell 206 helicopter.

The hearing before industrial court chairperson Ahmad Rosle Mohd Sham continues tomorrow.

Earlier, Ahmad Rosle reminded parties to raise pertinent issues and not go out of the line of their questioning on the matter at hand.

Lawyer Prakash Menon appeared for Hornbill Skyways.