69 CCTV video clips produced as evidence in ex-spy chief's CBT trial

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): A total of 69 closed-circuit television (CCTV) video clips at a serviced condominium in Cyberjaya were produced as evidence at the High Court here yesterday, in the US$12.1 million criminal breach of trust (CBT) case of former senior intelligence officer Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid (pictured).

The CCTV video clips, which had a total run time of about one hour, were shown in court by the prosecution through its eighth witness Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) forensic officer Badri Azni, who confirmed the authenticity of the videos.

In a video clip dated June 30, 2018, MACC officers were seen carrying out trollies of boxes as they exited the condominium.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Ahmad Farid Ahmad Kamal told the media today that the boxes contained some of the monies in Hasanah's possession and that the MACC were raiding the property. He added that another prosecution witness will testify today and explain the raid to prove that Hasanah had stored the misappropriated funds in the condominium.

Hasanah, the former director-general of the now defunct Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), pleaded not guilty on Oct 25, 2018 to the CBT charge that involves US$12.1 million allocated to the agency by the government.

The offence was allegedly committed in the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya between April 30 and May 9. If convicted, the offence is punishable under Section 409 of the Penal Code, with up to 20 years in jail and whipping, with a fine.
 
Hasanah rose to prominence in 2018 when her letter to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Gina Haspel was leaked to the public. In the letter that was sent a week before the 14th general election in May 2018, she sought the US support for the incumbent government of Barisan Nasional.

It was later confirmed that the letter is genuine but Hasanah claimed that it falls under the Official Secrets Act and hence, should not have been leaked.

At the time, Hasanah said in a press statement that it was routine for the Malaysian intelligence agency directors to exchange views and strengthen ties and trust, including with the CIA. Following the revelation, she lodged a police report to find the culprit who leaked her confidential letter.

The trial before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahri Mohd Salleh continues today.

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