Bersatu received an RM1 million cheque from Nepturis Sdn Bhd after the company secured a project worth RM141 million under the Jana Wibawa programme, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.
However, Nepturis managing director Rizman Akum Khan, a prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial against former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, testified that he did not know the reason behind the payment.
Rizman said he issued the cheque because his boss, Lian Tian Chuan, known as “TC Lian”, instructed him, and he complied without question.
“I have managed the project up to now, since (the company) received the letter of acceptance.
“The matter (involving this project) is monitored by and within the knowledge of Lian on an ongoing basis. This is because he was also a co-owner of the company, alongside Aliza Abd Malek and me.
“On Feb 16, 2022, Lian asked me to prepare a Nepturis cheque for a payment of RM1 million to Bersatu.
“After preparing and signing the cheque, I handed it over to Lian,” Rizman said in his witness statement.
‘Nothing wrong’ with payment
During cross-examination by Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, Rizman said he did not report his boss to the MACC as he thought Lian did not do anything wrong.
He disagrees with the lawyer’s contention that the cheque he signed was a form of corruption, saying it was a “donation” instead.
This prompted Amer to seek clarification on what the witness meant by “donation” and how it differs from gratuity (imbuhan), a question repeated by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin during re-examination.
“My understanding is that donation is like derma while gratuity (imbuhan) is probably an additional payment that might be made if there was a form of assistance, or as a gesture of appreciation.”
Rizman also repeatedly maintained throughout cross-examination and re-examination that he did not know and had not been informed of the reason for the payment, and that only Lian had the answer.
Previously, the court heard testimony from Maybank Kota Kemuning branch assistant manager Alfian Othman that confirmed the payment made to Bersatu via a cheque dated Feb 16, 2022 and honoured on Feb 21.
Malaysiakini was informed that Lian would be one of the three prosecution witnesses to take the stand at the next proceeding on July 27 to 29.
Letter of intent
Rizman also testified that around 2020, Lian had told him about projects under Jana Wibawa programmes that could help bumiputera companies during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that Nepturis should try its luck.
He added that Lian then asked him to sign a letter of intent to be sent to Muhyiddin, who was the prime minister at that time.
He confirmed that the letter, dated Feb 1, 2021, concerned the North Klang district police headquarters construction project, in which the company was seeking Muhyiddin’s support for its tender bid.
Rizman also said that when he inquired with Lian about this letter, the latter told him it was not an issue as the company was merely submitting a request and expressing interest.
“I (then) signed the letter without any hesitation, because in my opinion, Lian is the owner of the company and I was only assigned as the managing director.
“After signing it, Lian took the letter to proceed with the application. I confirm that I do not know to whom the letter was handed over, nor with whom Lian dealt to submit it.”
Rizman said his company received feedback from the Finance Ministry about their bid in early 2021, which required them to submit a few more documents.
The company then won the tender bid a few months later.
Shareholding
Previously, Nepturis co-director Aliza had testified about the company’s management structure, saying that Lian was never named in official company information submitted to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).
Rizman, in his evidence today, reiterated the matter, saying that while the CCM records showed both him and Aliza held equal shares of 35 percent each, Lian held the remaining 30 percent.
He said there was nothing wrong with the arrangement and the information was included in the company’s CCM data, as this is part of the company’s business strategy.
“It is not wrong, as this is only a business strategy. Even if Lian holds 30 percent in the company, Nepturis is still a bumiputera company.”
Muhyiddin is on trial for abuse of power and money laundering involving RM255.3 million.
The charges were related to Jana Wibawa, a project introduced while he was prime minister between 2020 and 2021 to accelerate project implementation and boost the country’s economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The trial before judge Noor Ruwena Nurdin adjourned and continues on July 27. - Mkini
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