In graft trial, driver says deposited RM2m cheque on Ku Nan’s orders

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s former personal driver confirmed in court today that the former minister directed him to bank in a RM2 million cheque made out to Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd in 2016.

Nik Yahaya Nik Mustapha, who drove for Tengku Adnan from 1994 to June 2018, also said he had received the cheque in June that year.

“I refer to the Hong Leong Islamic Bank cheque with cheque number 136822 amounting to RM2 million dated June 14, 2016 from Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd to Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd and confirm that I received the cheque from Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan on June 14, 2016 in his office,” he told the High Court here today during Tengku Adnan’s trial.

“Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan asked me to deposit this cheque to Tadmansori’s account number 8001179747,” the 54-year-old added, confirming that he had done as instructed.

The politician known as Ku Nan was earlier identified as the primary shareholder of Tadmansori.

However, Nik Yahaya then claimed to have no other knowledge of the cheque, saying he did not know why it was issued or who is the representative of Aset Kayamas.

Today is the first day of Tengku Adnan’s trial over his alleged receipt of a RM2 million bribe from property developer Aset Kayamas’ director Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong in the form of the company’s cheque to Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Nik Yahaya is the fourth prosecution witness in this trial.

Nik Yahaya confirmed that his scope of duties as Tengku Adnan’s personal driver including acting as the latter’s bodyguard in place of bodyguards who are sick or on leave, bringing Tengku Adnan to places where he wished to go, as well as receiving instructions from him from time to time.

When asked by Tengku Adnan’s lawyer Datuk Tan Hock Chuan if it was common for him to be asked by the former minister to bank in cheques due to his work as a driver and bodyguard, Nik Yahaya said he “could not remember”.

During cross-examination by Tan, Nik Yahaya also confirmed that Tengku Adnan was active in politics and had held party positions such as Umno supreme council member, Federal Territories Umno chief, Putrajaya Umno chief and Umno secretary-general.

Nik Yahaya confirmed that Tengku Adnan had held various positions in the administration previously, including as deputy minister, tourism minister and as federal territories minister.

Nik Yahaya agreed that he had to shuttle Tengku Adnan around in line with his busy schedule due to his Cabinet position and high-ranking party position, and that his duties as a driver included bringing Tengku Adnan around for his political matters.

Nik Yahaya agreed that he had brought Tengku Adnan around for matters relating to the by-elections of Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar in June 2016.

Agreeing that personal drivers are usually close with their employers, Nik Yahaya also agreed with Tan that Tengku Adnan is a generous person and that the latter often gives cash contributions to those who are needy.

Secretary (Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs) in Prime Minister's Department, Daman Huri Nor, leaving the witness room after the Tengku Adnan trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Third prosecution witness Daman Huri Nor, who is a secretary in the parliamentary and constitutional affairs division in the prime minister’s department outlined details regarding Tengku Adnan’s Cabinet position during 2013-2018.

Daman Huri, 55, said his previous role as secretary in the parliamentary affairs division included the duties of managing the appointments of constitutional positions such as ministers, deputy ministers, parliamentary secretaries and political secretaries.

Daman Huri said Tengku Adnan was appointed as federal minister on May 16, 2013 and ceased to be a minister after Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the 14th general election held in May 2018.

When asked by deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim, Daman Huri said Tengku Adnan’s monthly salary as minister during the 2013 to 2018 period was RM14,907.20, while his monthly allowance during the same period was RM24,320.

Daman Huri said such salaries and allowances are paid by the government through the respective ministries.

Daman Huri agreed that Tengku Adnan had other positions in the federal government prior to the period starting from 2013. 

The trial before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan will resume tomorrow morning.

Hearing started today and is expected to continue until this Thursday, with other trial dates scheduled from July 9 to 11, 16 to 18, 29 and August 1 to 2.