Sarawak ex-CM’s son had RM9 million in bank accounts, court told

DIYANA IBRAHIM

A bank employee today testified that Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir, son of former Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, had RM9 million in four bank accounts.

CIMB Customer Resolution Department assistant vice-president P. Magendran Pillai was testifying in the suit by Mahmud’s ex-wife Shahnaz Majid, who is seeking some RM400 million as settlement for their divorce, including matrimonial property and “mutaah” (Islamic conciliatory payment).

Earlier, Mahmud’s lawyers Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar and Saadiah Din failed in their bid to stop Magendran from revealing details of the bank accounts, saying it contravened the Banking and Financial Institution Act (Bafia) 1989 that protects privacy of bank clients.

Shariah judge Muhammad Abdul Karim Wahab dismissed their contention and also rejected a verbal application from Saadiah that the witness must show proof he was allowed by CIMB to reveal details of Mahmud’s bank accounts.

Shahnaz’s lawyer Akbardin Abdul Kader informed the court that Magendran was subpoenaed as a witness.

In his testimony, Magendran said that until September 30, 2012, Mahmud had nearly RM9 million in four bank accounts.

Mahmud and Shahnaz, the sister of popular singer Datuk Sheila Majid, married in January 1992 and have a 20-year-old son, Raden Murya.

He filed for divorce in May 2011.

During cross-examination today, Magendran disagreed that his presence as a witness contravened Bafia.

“I disagree because the Act has exceptions on privacy issues and that allows me to provide information on the defendant’s bank accounts in court,” he said.

Akbardin, meanwhile, explained to the court that there was no need for the bank to make a resolution on the matter as it was already part of the witness’s job scope and responsibility.

The judge then held that the court was satisfied with the explanation by the lawyer that it was Magendran’s responsibility to provide the information.

Shahnaz’s legal team will call their third witness, Maybank Customer Service Department manager Mursinah Manaf, when trial resumes on June 3.

Mahmud’s lawyers meanwhile are expected to call three to four witnesses after the plantiff’s case.

At an earlier hearing date, Andrew Heng, a chartered accountant hired to look into Mahmud’s assets, told the Shariah High Court that based on his total assets, Mahmud had more than enough to pay the RM100 million his ex-wife was seeking.

Heng, a partner in Ferrier Hodgson MH Sdn Bhd, who was hired by Shahnaz Majid, reiterated his previous testimony that the total assets of the former Sarawak strongman’s son were valued between RM976 million and RM1.395 billion.

“Based on my report, there is more than enough. Just look at his shareholding in Cahaya Mata Sawarak alone, the share is trading at RM9 currently,” Heng had said.