No trial by media

By Farrah Naz Karim, NST

Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has been advised against pursuing a trial-by-media with regard to his land fraud case.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said it was subjudicial for Dr Khir to hold his own court as the charge preferred against him was already in the hands of the court.

“Don’t go for a trial by the media as it is wrong and this can be used against you.

“The more you say, the more you are going to hurt yourself,” Gani said in an interview at his office yesterday.

Dr Khir, the former Selangor menteri besar, had told the media after Monday’s proceedings that he had been indirectly vindicated as the charge had dispelled the “many myths” that the opposition had perpetuated about him.

This, he argued, was because the value of the property purchased was not RM24 million as they had claimed and that he had bought the property legally for RM3.5 million from the previous owner.

He went on to say that he had “followed the rules and had proper documentation” with regard to the purchases (land and house) and firmly believed in the judiciary, and that in due course, his name would be cleared.

“The more you say,the more you are going to hurt yourself.”

Dr Khir had also said in his blog that he hoped his trial would not be delayed to stop him from being active in politics.

His remarks prompted some critics to suggest his charge was a “sideshow”, with some even claiming that it was a prelude to a snap poll.

Gani said this was no sideshow.

“You think I would risk my reputation to have a sideshow there? “If that was the case, you would have seen a junior there, so what sideshow are they talking about, you tell me.

“We don’t abuse the law and we don’t abuse the system, and to us, he is just anaccused and is no better than any other accused we have brought to court.” He was hopeful of wrapping up the prosecution’s case within three weeks.

“With about 16 witnesses, many of whom are formal ones, we should finish by then … provided there are no ‘this and that’ applications. I want to do this fast and then see what happens.

“You just look at the bail amount I proposed (RM1 million) — even my colleagues were stunned by what I asked for.” Dr Khir was charged with one count of graft at the Shah Alam Sessions Court in relation to two plots of land in Section 7.

The 45-year-old politician claimed trial to obtaining the two plots of land at half the price of the market value for himself and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, 45.

He is alleged to have bought the two lots at No 8 & 10 Jalan Suasa 7/1L, Shah Alam, from Ditamas Sdn Bhd at RM3.5 million when the market value was RM6.5 million.

The purchase was made on Dec 23, 2004, through Ditamas’ director, Shamsuddin Hayroni, with whom Khir had official business dealings.

The offence allegedly took place at the menteri besar’s official residence in Section 7 on May 29, 2007. Judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh granted him RM750,000 bail in one surety. He also granted the prosecution’s application to transfer the case to the High Court.

Shamsuddin, 52, was also charged with abetting Khir.

The charge against the Sungai Panjang assemblyman and former Selangor opposition leader comes under Section 165 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of two years and a fine, or both, if convicted.

Gani, in carrying out the prosecution, is assisted by the head of the prosecution unit of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah.