Bung Moktar told me to sign RM150 mil money transfer document, says witness

Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Ezette A Samad, are facing a corruption trial over a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual’s unit trust.

KUALA LUMPUR: A former member of Felcra’s board of directors told the Sessions Court here today that Bung Moktar Radin had asked him to sign the money transfer for a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual’s unit trust.

Abdul Fattah Abdullah, 61, who is now the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement Berhad (Angkasa) president, said Bung, who was the Felcra non-executive chairman then, had contacted him to enquire if he was present in the office to sign the document.

“Bung Moktar asked if I was in the office as there was a document brought by Felcra’s finance department that needed to be signed,” the sixth prosecution witness said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Siti Noor Hafizan Zakaria in the corruption trial involving the Kinabatangan MP and his wife, actress Zizie Ezette A Samad.

Questioned whether he was aware of what the RM150 million was meant for, Fattah replied: “Yes, to invest in Public Mutual.”

He said he did not ask anything about the RM150 million investment and had only signed the money transfer document as requested.

Asked by Siti if it would have been wrong for Felcra not to have committed to the RM150 million investment recommended by the finance ministry, Fattah replied: “No.”

He also told the court that Bung had no administrative authority, but was responsible for chairing board meetings and be the link between Felcra and other agencies such as the finance and rural development ministries.

Bung was exempted from attending today’s proceedings to allow him to attend the Parliament meeting, but his wife was present.

Bung was charged with taking a bribe of RM2.2 million from Public Mutual investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid, 38, through Zizie Ezette.

He is accused of committing the offence as an inducement to obtain approval from the then finance minister II for Felcra to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trust products.

The offence was allegedly committed at Taman Melawati branch of Public Bank Berhad at No. 262-265, Jalan Bandar 12, Taman Melawati here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.

Bung was also charged with corruptly receiving RM262,500 in bribes for himself from the same individual through Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund account No. 044797816, which was registered under Zizie Ezette’s name for the same purpose.

On another charge, Bung is accused of corruptly obtaining a RM337,500 bribe from Public Mutual investment agent Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, 42, via Public Ittikal Sequel Fund account No. 044797824, which was registered under Zizie Ezette’s name for the same purpose.

Both the offences were allegedly committed at the same location at 12.16pm and 12.28pm respectively, on June 19, 2015.

All the charges were framed under Subsection 17(a) of the MACC Act and can be sentenced under Section 24(1) of the same law, which provides for a jail term not exceeding 20 years and a fine not less than five times of the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Zizie Ezette also pleaded not guilty to three charges of abetting her husband on the same matter at the same place, dates and time.

The charges were framed under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act and she faces imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

The trial before judge Rozina Ayob continues on Aug 24. - FMT