KHIR TOYO - former Selangor Chief Minister ( a state in Malaysia ).
Dr. Mohammad Khir Toyo who was Selangor Menteri Besar ( Chief Minister) for eight years (2000 - 2008, was convicted by the High Court in 2011 for corruption by wrongfully using his position as MB to acquire a property for RM3 million less than the initial price.
The 50-year-old dentist and former Sg. Panjang Assemblyman was charged at the Shah Alam sessions court in December 2010, with corruption for purchasing for himslef and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, two plots of land and a mansion at No.8 and 10, Jalan Suasa 7/11, in Section 7, Shah Alam. He committed the offence at the official residence of his on May 29 2007.
The Federal Court today upheld Mohammad Khir's conviction, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonalble doubt.
One year jail term was imposed on this former Selangor Chief Minister for corruption.
Affirms forfeiture of two plots of land and a mansion in Section 7, Shah Alah (state capital of Selangor).
Rejects mitigation by him ( former profession a dentist) to be allowed to do community service by providing free dental treatment or pay a fine instead of serving a jail term. This sort of appeal as mitigation in the name of law by a man of high standing holding high office during his tenure in the richest state of Malaysia would be considered as a disgrace to the people of the state. A statement by his wife stating that she fully accepted in good faith (redho) such a verdict insinuating a foul play in the power game of Malaysian politics. The apellant letter of confession published to the media wrote to that effect.
A sigh of relief to many, that he was not allowed to do community service as that would have set an unethical precedent and it would encourage others especially influential 'big guns' to sporadically used their weapons thinking they can get away with it easily just by paying back to the community in terms of charitable works. This poor community in the first place voted them to sit on the high office. The 'office' that give them 'magic worn' of enriching themselves and their 'jesters'.
Deterrent sentence needed to curb courruption -
Commented by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, an ASLI centre for public policy studies. He said the 12 month jail sentence is disproportionate and will not deter others from committing corruptions. Some people including influential leaders and people in power, might even be discouraged to participate in corruption because they will get off easily instead of facing the full brunt of the law. Indulging in grand corruption by top position people is unafraid of. He urged the judiciary to look into the need for sentences meted out to be proportionate to the crime committed.
Former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim also critical of the sentence and very aptly put in words that many people have been sent for longer terms just for stealing foodstuff and consenting sex crimes. Corruptions in this country are rampant. " We've got our sense of right and wrong all jumbled up". He said.
A lawyer on the day of the verdict, Azhar Harun or knowned as Art Harun in his wall posted in his Fb said that a jobless youth was sentenced to two years jail imprisonment just for stealing foodstuff in Kota Bharu ( Kelantan) today and on the same day in Putrajaya a former highest office bearer of a state was dished out a one year sentence for million Ringgit offence.
"The country has its sense of right and wrong all mixed up", Zaid Ibrahim in his critics.
