Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin told the Sessions Court today that there were no discussions between him and two Public Mutual Berhad investment agents regarding the RM2.8 million linked to Felcra Berhad’s unit trust investments.
The Kinabatangan MP, 65, who is the first defence witness, made the statement when questioned by his lawyer, M. Athimulan, during the corruption trial involving him and his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad.
Athimulan asked if Bung Moktar had received the RM2.8 million through his wife, to which he replied it was untrue. “This question, Your Honour, is indeed false as all the facts I have stated in the past few days show there were no elements of discussion or negotiation, let alone to receive any inducement from Norhaili [Ahmad Mokhtar] or Madhi [Abdul Hamid],” he said.
Bung Moktar also said he was unaware of any dealings between Zizie Izette and Public Mutual, describing the claims as baseless. When questioned about suggestions from the prosecution that Norhaili requested the initial RM3 million be reduced to RM2.8 million, he denied it, asserting there were no meetings or instructions between him and the investment agents regarding any commission.
He added: “All this is untrue. I am stating only the truth in this court. Both witnesses questioned by the prosecution repeatedly confirmed there was no payment, discussion, or instruction from me at any time for Zizie Izette to receive the money. All of this is fabricated by the prosecution.”
Bung Moktar faces two charges of receiving RM2.2 million and RM262,500 in inducements to facilitate Felcra’s RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trusts, allegedly through his wife on 12 June 2015 at Public Bank Bhd, Taman Melawati branch. He is also accused of accepting RM337,500 via an account under Zizie Izette’s name from Norhaili for the same purpose.
The charges are under Subsection 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (SPRM) 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) with a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Zizie Izette faces three charges of abetting her husband under Section 28(1)(c) of the same act.
The trial, presided over by Judge Rosli Ahmad, will resume on November 27.
