The defence rested its case at the High Court in Shah Alam today in the trial of former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who is charged with misusing his authority with regard to obtaining two lots of land and a bungalow in Section 7, Shah Alam, four years ago.  

After the testimony of their last witness, Maybank officer Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Ali, 46, the defence team, led by M Athimulan, informed High Court Judge Mohtaruddin Baki (now Appeal Court Judge) that it rested its case.   

Five witnesses testified during the defence proceedings which commenced on June 6.

Earlier in today’s proceedings, a professional valuer told the court that Dr Mohamad Khir did not influence the valuation process carried out by his company on two lots of land and a bungalow owned by the former Selangor menteri besar in Jalan Suasa 7/1L, Shah Alam, in May 2007.

Rahim & Co Selangor managing director Choy Yue Kwong informed the court he valued the property at RM3.5 million on May 14 2007, based on current market prices in the area.

Cross-examined by DPP Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar he said Dr Khir did not indicate the amount of RM3.5 million when they met at his official residence before the valuation was made on that day.   

Mohd Dusuki: During the meeting, did the accused say that he was going to buy a property worth RM3.5 million? Did he indicate the amount to you?

Choy: No.

Choy was testifying in the trial of Dr Mohamad Khir who was called to enter his defence on a charge of obtaining for himself and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, two lots of land and a house at No 8 & 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1L, from Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni at RM3.5 million which was a much lower price than the RM6.5 million Ditamas paid for it in 2004.

He allegedly entered into the transaction with the knowledge that Shamsuddin had dealings with him in his official capacity as Selangor menteri besar at the time.

Dr Mohamad Khir, who is Sungai Panjang assemblyperson, allegedly committed the offence at the Selangor menteri besar’s official residence at Jalan Permata 7/1, Section 7, Shah Alam, on May 29, 2007.

‘MD did not know loan amount Khir had applied for’

Commenting further on the meeting which was also attended by an officer of HSBC Bank Sdn Bhd, Choy said he did not know the loan amount Dr Khir had applied for the property.

Mohd Dusuki: Did the accused indicate the amount of loan he applied for and also the value of property during that meeting?

Choy: No. It was a casual and brief meeting.

Yesterday, Choy said his company had valued the property upon HSBC’s instruction in relation to their premium customer, Dr Khir’s, loan for the same.

During the cross-examination, Choy denied that he had valued the property below market price.

“The RM3.5 million value was reasonable and reflected the actual market value at that point in time,” he said.

Choy said the valuation had no bearing on the loan amount applied for by Dr Khir to purchase the property.  

Mohd Dusuki: If the property was valued higher than the loan applied for, would the loan be rejected?

Choy: No.

Mohtaruddin fixed Dec 19 to hear the defence summation and Dec 23 for judgment.

- Bernama