Shamsuddin admits knowing market value of properties

SHAH ALAM: Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni admitted in the High Court here on Thursday, June 16 that he knew the market value of two lots of land, including a bungalow, in Jalan Suasa 7/1L here before entering into a sale and purchase agreement with former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo in 2007.

Cross-examined by counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, Shamsuddin — the second prosecution witness in the trial of the former MB who is charged with obtaining for himself a valuable thing without consideration or adequate consideration — said he was informed about the value of the properties verbally by property valuer Trans Asia but he had no documents of the assessment during the transaction.

Asked why he did not inform Khir about it to enable the former to make a proper decision, Shamsuddin said at the time he did not give emphasis on the matter.

"I made the decision just like that after taking into account the position of the buyer, who was a menteri besar at the time," said Shamsuddin.

The witness told judge Datuk Wira Mohtaruddin that the valuation was made on May 19, 2007 and that he received the assessment report on June 4, 2007.

Asked by Kamarul Hisham whether he had obtained resolutions from his company for the purchase of equipment, and interior renovation of the bungalow costing a total of RM1.5 million, Shamsuddin said he was not sure.

He, however, said that he had received two resolutions from his company for the purchase of the two lots, each valued at RM4.3 million and RM700,000 respectively.

Khir is charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, for obtaining for himself and his wife Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, 45, two lots of land and a house at No 8 & 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1L from Ditamas Sdn Bhd at a much lower price than the original.

The bungalow in Section 7 was bought by Khir for RM3.5 million while Ditamas paid RM6.5 million for it in December 2004.

The hearing continues. — Bernama