I agreed to testify against Syed Saddiq to avoid prosecution, says witness
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is on trial on four charges of CBT, misappropriation of funds and money laundering involving more than RM1 million of Bersatu Youth’s money.
KUALA LUMPUR: A prosecution witness in Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s corruption trial has admitted to the High Court that he was testifying against the Muar MP to avoid being “charged for other cases”.
Abdul Hannaan Khairy was asked by Syed Saddiq’s defence lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, if he agreed to testify against Syed Saddiq in court for fear of being charged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with other cases.
Hannaan first responded by asking judge Azhar Abdul Hamid for permission to use the restroom, but answered affirmatively when he was told to respond to the question first.
The prosecution witness also admitted to being called in by MACC many times, but could not recall the exact number.
He admitted to feeling “scared” whenever he was called in by MACC to provide statements regarding Syed Saddiq’s case as he would also be questioned about other cases, as he feared he would also be charged.
Hannann used to be a member of Bersatu Youth and contested for the Kayang state seat in Perlis in the 14th general election under Pakatan Harapan.
He was sacked by the party in August 2020.
Syed Saddiq, a former youth and sports minister who used to lead Bersatu Youth, is on trial on four charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds and money laundering of more than RM1 million belonging to the youth wing.
KUALA LUMPUR: A prosecution witness in Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s corruption trial has admitted to the High Court that he was testifying against the Muar MP to avoid being “charged for other cases”.
Abdul Hannaan Khairy was asked by Syed Saddiq’s defence lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, if he agreed to testify against Syed Saddiq in court for fear of being charged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with other cases.
Hannaan first responded by asking judge Azhar Abdul Hamid for permission to use the restroom, but answered affirmatively when he was told to respond to the question first.
The prosecution witness also admitted to being called in by MACC many times, but could not recall the exact number.
He admitted to feeling “scared” whenever he was called in by MACC to provide statements regarding Syed Saddiq’s case as he would also be questioned about other cases, as he feared he would also be charged.
Hannann used to be a member of Bersatu Youth and contested for the Kayang state seat in Perlis in the 14th general election under Pakatan Harapan.
He was sacked by the party in August 2020.
Syed Saddiq, a former youth and sports minister who used to lead Bersatu Youth, is on trial on four charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds and money laundering of more than RM1 million belonging to the youth wing.
A witness under duress.
ReplyDeleteAnything he says may be questionable.
Similar situation with some witnesses in LIm Guan Eng's trial.
For those who have personal law-breaking involvement, or those seriously lacking in integrity , agreeing to testify against the accused is a dubious exercise in avoiding prosecution by saying anything the prosecutors want
It would be interesting to see how the MACC will respond to this claim by Hannaan.
ReplyDeleteThe MACC will have to reiterate that their investigation on Hannaan has not closed. Anything else would be an admission of the MACC being a tool to harass "selected" figures.