SHAH ALAM: A witness in the murder trial of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others testified that he did not hear or see anything at a farm in Banting on the night the victims were believed to have been murdered.

Security guard R. Vakasan, 20, told the High Court here yesterday that he fell asleep at about 6pm on Aug 30, 2010, after watching a TV show.

He claimed he had heard the sound of a car before he dozed off and only woke up the next day.

The witness had worked at the farm for six months with three of the accused – T. Thilaiyalagan, R. Matan, and R. Kathavarayan – but claimed he did not know who owns the farm or the pets.

He also claimed that he had never gone home in the six months he worked there.

“After I woke up (on Aug 31, 2010), I went to work and fed the chickens. Thilaiyalagan and Matan fed the goats.

“Later at about 6pm, Suresh (a farmhand) asked me whether I wanted to go home or not. I said ‘yes’ and Suresh sent me home. (Before I left) I was given RM800 as my salary,” he said.

Vakasan’s answers prompted DPP Ishak Mohd Yusoff to apply for the witness to be declared as hostile but was objected by lead defence counsel Manjeet Singh Dhillon on grounds that the prosecution had no basis to declare the witness as such.

“It is clear this witness is ‘unfriendly’ towards the prosecution and is not telling the truth.

“Answers like ‘I don’t remember’ and ‘I fell asleep straightaway’. That is my basis,” said DPP Ishak in reply to the objection.

However, Justice Akhtar Tahir dismissed the application on grounds that he found no hostility in the witness’ answers.

Vakasan was the 89th witness testifying in the trial.

The trial continues today.

Article source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/1/26/courts/10540981&sec=courts