Court halts Harris' offer of open accounts scrutiny

Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Mohd Salleh who filed a libel suit in the High court here against a brother of late tycoon Tan Sri Syed Kechik, reiterated his offer to subject his financial accounts for scrutiny if second defendant Syed Salem Albukhary Syed Kechik will reciprocate. However, Justice Ravindran Paramaguru put a stop to it, just as the defence objected to its relevancy.

"If the plaintiff as a politician, businessman wishes to show off his financial statements, it's his business," Raymond Szetu said, Thursday.

Harris is suing Dr Shaari Isa, the author of the book "Vendetta and Abuse of Power – Quest for Justice in The Land Below the Wind" (1st Defendant), Syed Salem Albukhary (2nd Defendant) and the printer, publisher and distributor – MPH Group of companies (3rd to 5th defendants) for defamation (libel). His lawyer is asking for damages payment and book ban.

Harris' leading counsel Eunof Maringking tried to bring up Syed Kechik's native status and foreign equity ownership in companies involved in the Zara land development, after being disallowed to probe the private life and character of the second defendant and Syed Kechik's income.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Syed Salem Albukhary explained that they had to bring in foreign partnership as funds were needed for developing Zara land, which involves over 2,000 acres and was later acquired by the State Government to build Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), among others. The State Government also paid a hefty compensation for the land.

The defence objected that they were not allowed to question Harris' native status and asserted that whether companies were Malaysian or otherwise was immaterial to the case, asking the judge to permit questioning on the points of the defamation suit mutually agreed to in the trial.

MPH Group of companies (3rd to 5th defendants) counsel from Raj & Co. objected to questioning by the plaintiff's lawyers, citing the Evidence Act.

Harris' counsel asserted that renowned Malay entrepreneur Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, who is related to Syed Salem Albukhary and the late Syed Kechik, was a major shareholder or held business interests in the MPH Group of companies (3rd to 5th defendants).

The 2nd defendant Syed Salem Albukhary did not dispute it.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

The judge stopped Syed Salem Albukhary from answering a question as to why Umno did not want to help the late Syed Kechik, since the 2nd defendant was not in a position to speak for Umno or on its behalf.

Harris at the beginning of the trial, claimed that Umno under late Tun Razak set up and financed the Berjaya party with RM500,000 seed money to topple the Usno-led Sabah Alliance under Tun Mustapha, who was aided by Syed Kechik in political strategy.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00