The request for particulars of plea to Donald Ha Yeung by the Mauritius Commercial Bank ? after he had made a statement to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) ? has caused a stir. Vasant Bunwaree, who is said to have benefited from payments made by Teeren Appasamy, the alleged main beneficiary of the Rs 881-million fraud to the detriment of the National Pensions Fund (NPF), has firmly denied the accusations.

Donald Ha Yeung was Appasamy?s business partner. Having witnessed all the transactions of Teeren Appasamy, he seems to be in a position to give more details about the alleged beneficiaries of the fraud. Vasant Bunwaree, who is a cardiologist by profession, met the press last week to give his version. ?Zero. I have never obtained any money from Donald Ha Yeung and Appasamy. I have never had any account at the MCB.?

After Donald Ha Yeung stated that some cheques had the wording ?cash Vasant? and others ?TA-VB?, the former Finance minister defends himself, ?He only said that he thought VB was me. I have not been informed that any money or funds were used on my behalf. I am not concerned by this ?VB?. I have made a declaration of assets, which proves my good faith. If anyone can prove this declaration wrong, I?ll go to jail.?

Petition to ICAC commissioner

Although he admits that Teeren Appasamy has always been his close friend, he however denies having received any money for his own profit or his company?s. Donald Ha Yeung mentioned cheques made payable to Clinicare, one of Vasant Bunwaree?s companies, in 1997. However, to prove his good faith, the former minister has explained that he was the manager of this company until November 1996.

Hence, if ever such cheques were written, he was not informed, as he was no longer part of the company. His wife was still a shareholder but she resigned soon afterwards, he says. After the elections in 2005, Vasant Bunwaree started managing Clinicare Services Ltd, which, he points out, has nothing to do with Donald Ha Yeung.

Following Ha Yeung?s statement to the ICAC, about thirty citizens wrote to ICAC commissioner, Navin Beekarry, to ask for an enquiry on some of the sums taken from the NPF and paid into other people?s accounts.