KINABATANGAN MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin told the Sessions Court today that he had no discussions or negotiations with investment agents from Public Mutual Berhad over a RM2.8 million payment allegedly linked to Felcra Berhad’s investment in unit trusts.
The 65-year-old Kinabatangan MP, testifying as the first defence witness in his corruption trial alongside his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, firmly denied prosecution claims that the payment had been arranged through his spouse.
“There were no elements of discussion, negotiation or any intention to receive rewards from Norhaili (Ahmad Mokhtar) or Madhi (Abdul Hamid),” he said under questioning from his counsel M. Athimulan.
Athimulan had earlier suggested that the prosecution contends Bung Moktar received RM2.8 million through Zizie Izette. Bung replied that such a claim was “not true”, calling the allegations baseless and without factual support.
Bung Moktar further denied any knowledge of arrangements between Zizie Izette and Public Mutual, saying, “All of this is merely an unfounded accusation from the prosecution.”
Asked whether he was aware of a request to reduce an alleged RM3 million “introductory fee” to RM2.8 million, Bung denied giving such an instruction, stating there were no meetings or dealings between him and the unit trust agents regarding commissions.
“This is simply an unhealthy assumption by the prosecution,” he said.
On Wednesday, Bung had already denied claims that one of the agents had suggested lowering the sum to RM2.8 million. He again rejected prosecution allegations that he directed his wife to handle the transaction.
“All this is untrue. I am stating the truth before this court. Both witnesses were also cross-examined thoroughly by the prosecution and made clear that there was no payment, discussion or instruction from me at any time for Zizie Izette to receive money. These are merely fabrications by the prosecution,” he said.
Bung Moktar was charged on 3 May 2019 with two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as inducement to approve Felcra Berhad’s RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trusts.
He allegedly received the bribes through his wife from Madhi Abdul Hamid at Public Bank’s Taman Melawati branch between 12.30pm and 5.00pm on 12 June 2015.
Additionally, he faces a third charge of receiving RM337,500 from Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar via Zizie Izette’s account under the Public Ittikal Sequel Fund for the same purpose.
The charges were filed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which provides for up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Zizie Izette, 46, is also facing three counts of abetting her husband, under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act.
The trial before Judge Rosli Ahmad is scheduled to resume on 27 November. - September 26, 2025
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