Sarbaini’s friend says he told police what MACC officer ordered him to say

Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's good friend said that he told the police what he had been told to say by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer about the events leading up to the discovery of the Selangor Customs assistant director.

Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Zaki told the inquest into the Customs official's death that MACC investigating officer Abdul Ghani Ali also told him he (Wan Zainal Abidin) was to relate his account should anybody asked about the matter.

Wan Zainal Abidin, 41, said he met the MACC investigating officer after Ahmad Sarbaini's body was found at the bottom of the commission's office in Jalan Cochrane here on April 6.

Wan Zainal Abidin, a senior executive of export, operations and logistics at freight forwarding company, Schenker Logistics Sdn Bhd, said the investigating officer told him that Ahmad Sarbaini was in his (Abdul Ghani's) room prior to his death.

“Abdul Ghani said he went out of the room because he was hungry and returned later because wanted to ask Ahmad Sarbaini to come along.

“He said when he returned to the room, Ahmad Sarbaini was gone,” added Wan Zainal Abidin.

He said following a search for Ahmad Sarbaini, MACC officers looked out of the pantry window and saw the Customs official's body lying on the ground.

Wan Zainal Abidin added: “Abdul Ghani told me, If anybody asks you, you tell them what I told you.'

“I had no choice but to follow Abdul Ghani's instructions when I gave my statement to police officer ASP Zuhairi Mohamed.”

Asked about Abdul Ghani's tone of voice, Wan Zainal Abidin said: “He was shaking and looked pale. He sounded scared, his body was swaying and bubbles were forming at the side of his mouth.”

To a question by MACC counsel Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Wan Zainal Abidin denied that he had misheard Abdul Ghani.

Wan Zainal Abidin, who dealt with Ahmad Sarbaini in the course of his work, also denied that the deceased had received or asked for bribes from him.

The witness told the inquest he had met Ahmad Sarbaini a day earlier and asked why he had mentioned his (Wan Zainal Abidin's) name when questioned by the MACC.

“He said he was pressured at that time and, when he thought of Schenker, he thought of me,” added Wan Zainal Abidin.

He said Ahmad Sarbaini had poor appetite that day and did not finish his mee goreng during their meeting at a cafe.

“When I called him later that day, I told him to take care of his health and that whatever is done, is done.

“He said I was his friend who gave the semangat (will) to live.”

To a question by Muhammad Shafee, Wan Zainal Abidin said it was the first time he heard Ahmad Sarbaini saying such things.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

The inquest before Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani continues on Monday.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : Sarbaini’s friend says he told police what MACC officer ordered him to say