KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Businessman Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail today denied telling former chairman of National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp), Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, that he was sent by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to help solve the company’s problems.   

Shamsubahrin, 48, told the Sessions Court here that he had only brought up Dr Mahathir’s name to remind Mohamad Salleh about the time they first met during the former prime minister’s visit to the Malaysian Technology Park, 15 years ago.   

He mentioned the matter to Mohamad Salleh at Sid’s Pub in H2, Taman Tunku, Off Langkat Tunku here about 6 pm on Nov 20 2011.   

Shamsubahrin explained that he had only raised Dr Mahathir’s name to help Mohamad Salleh recall having met him at the technology park and also four years ago at a Putrajaya hotel. 

“Mohamad Salleh was with his son at the hotel lobby. He greeted me and said that he had obtained the Feedlot project from the government and was going to Indonesia to view some cattle,” he said. 

Shamsubahrin was responding to lawyer Hasnal Redzua Merican during his defence testimony on the five charges of cheating Mohamad Salleh of RM1.75 million and 17 counts of money laundering.   

Shamsubahrin allegedly misled Mohamad Salleh into believing that Dr Mahathir had requested him to offer consultancy and advisory services, inducing the victim to agree on a fee of RM2.75 million.  

Meanwhile, to another question by Hasnal Redzua on what they discussed at Sid’s Pub, Shamsubahrin said Mohamad Salleh had told him about being appointed for the Feedlot project and the government’s approval of a capital loan of RM250 million to NFCorp.

He added that Mohamad Salleh had also told him that the project was not fully implemented as proposed but part of the funds had been used to purchase real estate.

Shamsubahrin said upon hearing the information he had asked Mohamad Salleh if the purchases had been according to the company’s financial protocols. 

The hearing before Judge Rozilah Salleh resumes tomorrow. — Bernama