‘I paid RM13,860 dental bill out of embarrassment’
(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: A witness at the trial of former Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab told the court yesterday that he paid for Mirza's dental treatments worth RM13,860 because he felt embarrassed.
Zulhisyam Ayob, 49, said he was the one who recommended Mirza for dental treatment at his ex-wife's dental clinic but after knowing that the cost of the treatment was high, he decided to pay the bill.
"At first, I thought he would only do normal treatment. When I knew it would involve implants which normally cost about RM14,000 to RM15,000, I felt embarrassed as I was afraid that Mirza would think that I wanted to take advantage of him.
"That's why I decided to pay without his knowledge," said Zulhisyam, who is the 10th prosecution witness.
He said he also repeatedly reminded his ex-wife Dr Khamsiah Ghulam Haider, who is the clinic's proprietor, and the clinic's manager, Rahayu Abdul Rahim, not to tell Mirza that he would settle the bill.
"I asked them to give Mirza excuses if he asked them for the bill," he said.
Mirza, 51, is charged with accepting dental treatment worth RM13,860, which was paid by Syarikat Perunding Pakar Media director Zulhisyam Ayob, 48, without consideration.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at Clinical Practice Prosthodontics in Taman Tun Dr Ismail between Jan 17 and July 26, 2005.
Mirza, who is on RM5,000 bail, was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code which states that a public servant is not allowed to receive gifts from those who intend to obtain something in return involving his duties and powers.
To a question by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Saiful Hazmi Mohd Saad, Zulhisyam said Mirza did not know about the payment that he made.
He said payment was made through a a cheque issued by Syarikat Perunding Pakar Media. Zulhisyam, who is now unemployed, was the company's executive director and its shareholder.
Yesterday, Dr Khamsiah, 46, told the court that Mirza did not know about the bill for the implants as it was not sent to him but to Zulhisyam.
"Mirza only paid for the follow-up treatments."
She agreed with counsel Saseedharan Menon that Mirza would pay the bills himself whenever the bills were given to him.
Hearing before Sessions Court judge Zainal Abidin Kamarudin continues today.
