Disgraced former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo did all he could to avoid being sent to prison as the Federal Court upheld his conviction on corruption charges today, going so far as to offer free dental care if he were sentenced to community service instead.
In December 2011, Khir, who served as Selangor MB from 2000 to 2008, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for corruptly using his position as then Selangor Mentri Besar and Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) chairperson to obtain land and property below the market price in 2007.
In his appeal today, Khir told the five Federal Court judges hearing his case that if given a sentence of community service instead of time in prison, he would provide free dental care for his assigned constituency or any community in Selangor.
He added that even during his time as Menteri Besar, he had given free dental consultation to friends and relatives.
Dr Khir is an accredited dentist.
The UMNO politician also asked the court to think of his wife and children before banishing him to prison.
“I ask Yang Arif to consider because my children are still young and I am a role model to them… my wife doesn’t work,” he said from the dock, as quoted by Ida Lim of The Malay Mail Online.
He also stressed that in purchasing the land and bungalow cited in his case, he had no intention of breaking the law, as he did not know it was wrong to buy property at below market value, being only a dentist, and not a lawyer.
Khir also maintained that in committing the crime, he did not use any Selangor state funds.
When I look at my mother, I cry because I feel I have wronged my family, although I did it without any intention, without any intention at all,” he said.
“There was no public fund in this case. The state of Selangor did not suffer any losses.”
The Federal Court will reconvene next Tuesday to deliver their decision on Khir’s sentencing.
Reader Interactions