Witness admits payment for visas siphoned to political fund

(Bernama) – A witness in the corruption trial of former Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don told the Sessions Court here today that payments made for the approval of calling visas for Bangladeshi workers were used for a political fund.

Businessman Datuk Zulkafli Maulud, 53, said he knew about this from another businessman, Datuk Seri Low Chang Hian, who informed him that the money was for a minister.

Before stating that the money was used for a political fund, he had also mentioned that it was political donation to the same person.

During cross-examination, Wahid’s lawyer V. Sithambaram asked if he had any links with the minister’s brother-in-law known as Syed Abdullah, Zulkafli answered: “Never.”

During the earlier proceedings in the trial, a broker Burugabudeen Mohamed Ismail, 50, had told the court that Syed Abdullah had received money from him to expedite approval of calling visas for foreign workers in 2008 and that it was for a political fund.

Wahid, 57, is charged with receiving a bribe of RM60,000 from Low to expedite approval of 4,337 calling visas for Bangladesh workers. He is alleged to have committed the offence at his house in Jalan Lembah Ledang, off Jalan Duta here at 10.15 pm on July 10 2008.

When the proceedings resumed today, Zulkafli, who is involved in supplying foreign workers, shipping and trading in firearms, had told the court that he had been remanded for five days together with Low and Abdul Jabbar Abdullah, a broker.

The trial before judge Rosbiahanim Ariffin continues on March 29 and 30.