Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin has denied knowledge of the receipt by his wife of payments totalling RM2.8 million from two agents of a private unit trust company 10 years ago.
Testifying in defence to corruption charges brought against him and wife Zizie Izette Abdul Samad in the sessions court, Bung said he only became aware of the payments during investigations conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
During examination-in-chief by counsel Ridha Abdah Subri, Bung denied instructing or requesting Zizie to receive the sum alleged to have been paid in two tranches on June 12 and 17, 2015.
“I had absolutely no knowledge that my wife would receive or had received the RM2.8 million on the said dates,” he said.
Ridha: Why were you not aware of the matter?
Bung: Because at no time was I informed by my wife about the receipt of the money. I was also not informed by anyone else about it until I was called to assist MACC in its investigations in 2016 or 2017.
Earlier, Bung told the court that Zizie had introduced him to two agents from Public Mutual Bhd – Norhaili Mokhtar and Madhi Hamid – at a hotel in the city centre in late 2013 or early 2014.
He said the two individuals had wanted to brief him on unit trust investments but he redirected them to Felcra’s investment and financial officers, as he had no knowledge of the subject.
He said Norhaili was introduced to Felcra chief financial officer Azmy Abdul Samah during a Hari Raya open house held at Bung’s residence in August 2014, and subsequently briefed Azmy about the proposed investment.
When subsequently told about the briefing, Bung said he instructed Azmy to conduct his own research into the matter and table a proposal before the board, if viable.
According to Bung, Azmy proposed that Felcra invest RM300 million into unit trusts at a board meeting held on Nov 24, 2014. The board then heard a briefing by Norhaili on the matter.
Bung said the board unanimously agreed to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc) to invest RM150 million in unit trusts, and later received written confirmation from the government-owned entity that it had no objection to the plan.
He said MoF Inc’s letter was signed by Isa Hussain, the Treasury’s deputy secretary-general for investments, who was also a Felcra board member.
“(In the letter) MoF Inc said it had no objection to Felcra proceeding with an investment of RM150 million in unit trusts,” Bung said.
He said MoF Inc also directed Felcra’s board to continuously monitor the investment performance to enable early risk mitigation in the event of a market downturn.
Bung is facing two charges of receiving bribes of RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra’s approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts.
He is alleged to have accepted bribes from Madhi through Zizie at the Taman Melawati Public Bank branch between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.
He also faces a separate charge of receiving RM337,500 from Norhaili under Zizie’s name at the same bank on June 19, 2015.
Zizie faces three charges of abetting Bung in the commission of the alleged offences.
The proceedings before judge Rosli Ahmad will continue tomorrow.
