KUALA LUMPUR: The 98th prosecution witness of the trial of former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that Zahid sought a contribution of RM10 million from a Singaporean businessman at a dinner in 2015.

Assistant Superintendent of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Christ Sheldon Anak Merun, 32, in a witness statement said, the MACC investigation found that Zahid asked for the contribution from businessman Wong Sang Woo who is also a Director of Chia Bee Enterprise Sdn Bhd.

The donation is intended to be channelled to Yayasan Akalbudi for the purpose of donating to the poor and needy.

“Wong met Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi for the first time in 2015 through a dinner (date and place can’t remember).

"Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi introduced himself as Home Minister and Wong introduced himself as an entrepreneur from Singapore involved in stock investment, timber business, real estate investment, fashion apparel and delivery agent," the witness explained.

During the meeting, Zahid, it was clear that the witness had asked Wong about the donation.

"Wong said, during the dinner (2015), Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi asked him to donate for the poor and needy.

"As a philanthropist, Wong agreed to donate to the foundation founded by Zahid. Datuk Seri Zahid informed Wong that someone would contact him to inform him about the donation.

"At the end of the dinner, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi stated the amount of RM10 million to Wong and he told him to consider because it takes time to prepare the amount," the witness explained.

In early 2016, Wong was contacted by someone directed by Zahid to inquire about the RM10 million donation to Yayasan Akalbudi.

The individual, the witness said, had explained to Wong about the conversation between him and Zahid during a dinner in 2015 and asked him to make the donation payment to a law firm called Lewis & Co in Kuala Lumpur.

“Wong Sang Woo instructed the eligible check signatories to provide payment to Lewis & Co Advocates through 10 checks amounting to RM1,000,000 for each check as requested by Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s people.

"Wong Sang Woo does not remember the person he asked to issue the check because he was not in Malaysia at the time," the witness explained.

Wong's review, he added, found that payment had been made on April 21, 2016 to Messrs. Lewis & Co.

“All this at the request of Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi as his people told him (Wong) to issue 10 checks.

"He (Wong) did not know why the checks had to be issued separately and not by using a single check," another witness explained.

According to another witness, Wong, who is also the owner of Chia Bee Enterprise, made a donation through the company on the grounds that he had donated to a charity founded by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

"He (Wong) feels it is a privilege when the Deputy Prime Minister asks for charitable donations. He does not need permission to use Chia Bee Enterprise Sdn Bhd as it is his company.

“He does not remember who he instructed to issue the check at Chia Bee Enterprise Sdn Bhd, but the check was signed as requested,” the witness said again.

However, Wong said the check was his personal contribution to the Akalbudi Foundation founded by Zahid.

"He (Wong) used Chia Bee Enterprise Sdn Bhd to make charitable donations because he wanted to raise the profile of Chia Bee Enterprise Sdn Bhd in Malaysia.

"He recalls that the contribution of RM10 million was not declared with the Inland Revenue Board because it was not a tax-deductible contribution," another witness explained.

The trial session saw a total of 98 witnesses called including nine MACC Investigating Officers by the prosecution team.

It is understood that another Investigating Officer will be called to testify before the prosecution team closes the case.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Harris Ong Mohd Jeffery Ong while the defense was led by lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik.

Ahmad Zahid, 68, faces 47 charges with 12 of them involving breach of trust, eight bribery and 27 money laundering, involving tens of millions of ringgit in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.