The Malaysian Insight

THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today ordered Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, to enter their defence on corruption charges involving RM2.8 million in connection with Public Mutual Bhd unit trust investments by Felcra.

Judge Rozina Ayob Hakim said the prosecution has made a prima facie case against the Sabah deputy chief minister and his actress wife.

Thirty witnesses were called to give evidence during the trial, which began on January 2020.

Among them were former finance minister II Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, former Felcra investment general Adnan Yusof, Felcra board member Dr Habibah Suleiman and Public Mutual Bhd unit trust consultants Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar and Madhi Abdul Hamid.

On May 3, 2019, Bung, 64, was charged with two counts of receiving RM2.2 million in bribes and RM262,500 as gratification to give Felcra approval to make a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trust.

Bung is accused of receiving bribes from Madhi, through Zizie, at Public Bank’s Taman Melawati branch between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.

He is also accused of receiving a RM337,500 cash bribe from Norhaili in Zizie’s name for the same reason and at the same place on June 19, 2015.

Zizie, 44, faces three charges of abetting her husband at the same place, date and time.

Deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How appeared for the prosecution, together with DPP Faridz Gohim Abdullah and Mohd Sophian Zakaria.

Bung was represented by counsel M. Athimulan while Zizie was represented by K. Kumaraendran and Ridha Abdah Subri. – September 2, 2022.