SHAH ALAM, June 14 — A valuer has estimated Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s palatial home and two plots of land at RM5.55 million after the former Selangor mentri besar allegedly purchased the properties for RM3.5 million, the High Court heard today.
Henry Butcher Malaysia director Long Tian Chek testified at Dr Khir’s corruption trial today that the plots of land in Section 7 here were valued at RM2.35 million and the bungalow was valued at RM3.2 million in 2007.
Long, who was engaged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2009, said his valuation was based on a valuation report by Rahim & Co, approved building plans of Dr Khir’s (picture) properties in 2007, and the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH)records on vacant property lots in 2007 for comparison.
“It (Dr Khir’s house) is an individually-designed two-storey attached house with a private swimming pool together with a gazebo and car porch,” said Long, adding that the details of Dr Khir’s Balinese-style mansion were obtained from Rahim & Co’s 2007 report and approved building plans.
“From the pictures and photos of the building, we estimate that the building was about 50 to 60 per cent completed,” added Long, who has 30 years’ experience in the valuation industry.
He also said he disregarded some building structures that were not approved, but did not elaborate what they were.
The 54-year-old valuer said he used the comparison method in his valuation by comparing Dr Khir’s properties with four vacant bungalow lots in Section 7 here.
“From the comporables in 2007, there was a range of prices per square foot and they range from RM50 psf to RM60 psf...RM2.35 million for (Dr Khir’s) land was based on RM45 psf,” said Long, who was dressed in a white striped shirt.
Government assistant valuer Noor Faiza Zainuddin, 48, testified earlier today that she estimated Dr Khir’s properties at RM4.8 million in 2007.
She said, however, that she did not take into account the renovation on Dr Khir’s palatial home as she based her valuation on the sales agreement in May 2007, which did not mention renovation works.
“I didn’t enter the house fully because there was a lot of renovation going on,” said Noor Faiza, when asked about her visit to Dr Khir’s house in 2007.
Noor Faiza, who is based in Shah Alam JPPH, added that Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni told her he was “forced to sell” the house to Dr Khir at below market price.
Shamsuddin testified yesterday that he that he sold his house and two plots of land to the Umno politician for RM3.5 million despite buying the properties for RM6.5 million, fearing for his Selangor business interests.
