The testimony of a key prosecution witness in former Selangor MB Mohd Khir Toyo’s corruption trial, Ditamas director Shamsuddin Hayroni, faced another delay today because of a death in his family.

Lead prosecutor Abdul Wahab Mohamed informed the court of the matter this morning, further postponing Shamsuddin’s testimony.

The prosecution moved on to other prosecution witnesses, calling in the lawyers who handled the sales and purchase agreements for the sale of the mansion on lots 8 and 10 off Jalan Suasa Section 7 Shah Alam.

NONE The lawyers involved are former Bar Council president K Ragunath ( right ) who acted on behalf of property developer Saiful Aznir, who sold the land to Shamsuddin, and attorney Doris Gertrude Marappen, who acted on the company director’s behalf during the purchase from Saiful Aznir and for both Shamsuddin and Khir during the subsequent sale.

Both lawyers confirmed that they were involved in the drafting and execution of the sales and purchase agreements during both transactions as well as the agreed upon prices.

Also called to the stand was Selangor state assembly secretary Mohd Yasid Bidin who confirmed that Khir was Selangor MB at the time.

The defence, which had informed the court yesterday that it intends to submit an application for the prosecution to surrender documents pertaining to Shamsuddin and his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for it to prepare an impeachment motion, also forgoed their application due to the witness’ absence.

“We need to have him present,” said lead defence counsel M Athimulan to Malaysiakini when asked about their application.

Shamsuddin’s testimony was disrupted twice earlier, once on the second day of the trial as he had difficulties on the stand, and later on the third day when he had a “health problem” which prevented him from appearing before the court.

'Khir did not pay market value for land'

A mousedeer caught between two elephants