KUALA LUMPUR – A witness told the sessions court here today that the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority Bhd (Felcra) paid RM150 million through five transactions to Public Mutual unit trusts for investment purposes.
Former Felcra investment unit finance manager Esah Abas, 62, said this in the corruption trial of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who was then the non-executive chairman of Felcra, and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Ezette A. Samad.
The 10th prosecution witness said that the payment by Felcra was made through five payment vouchers dated May 18, 2015.
“The five payment vouchers referred to me were provided by me on the instructions of Azriman Ridouan, who was Felcra’s credit control senior manager at that time. Vouchers are provided based on a copy of a letter to Affin Islamic Bank Berhad entitled Transfer Money from Felcra Berhad’s current account.
“The payments made to Public Mutual Berhad were first RM50 million, then RM50 million, RM20 million, RM20 million and RM10 million. I confirm that the signature of the provider of all these vouchers is my signature,” she said while reading her witness statement under the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Maziah Mohaide.
Esah said that the RM150 million transfer letter for the Public Mutual unit trust investment was signed by former Felcra finance group general manager Azmy Abu Samah and former Felcra board member Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah.
“Both of these individuals are valid signatories for every payment made by Felcra Berhad,” she said.
When cross-examined by lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran, who was representing Zizie, whether the investment unit violated financial procedures, Esah replied: “It was not against the law.”
Kumaraendran: It was allowed to make that investment?
Esah: It was allowed then as there was money.
Kumaraendran: Without a letter signed by Fattah, can vouchers be issued?
Esah: Without a letter, I cannot issue the voucher.
Esah also said that the approval of the payment was made by her superiors and she was not involved in the matter.
On May 3, 2019, Bung Moktar, 61, pleaded not guilty to two counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra’s approval to make a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trusts.
Bung Moktar was accused of accepting bribes from Public Mutual investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid, 38, through his wife Zizie at the Public Bank Taman Melawati branch, Jalan Bandar 12, Taman Melawati here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.
He also pleaded not guilty to accepting a bribe of RM335,500 for himself from another Public Mutual investment agent, Norlaili Ahmad Mokhtar, 42, under the name Zizie Ezette, for the same reason.
The offence was allegedly committed at the same place on June 19, 2015.
Zizie pleaded not guilty to three counts of abetting her husband in committing the alleged offences, at the same place, date and times.
The trial before judge Rozina Ayob continues tomorrow. – Bernama, January 12, 2021
