Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin told the sessions court here today he was “shocked” to learn during questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that his wife had received RM2.8 million from two unit trust agents.
The court heard earlier that Zizie Izette Abdul Samad had received the sum as an introduction fee for helping agents Norhaili Mokhtar and Madhi Hamid secure a RM150 million investment from Felcra Bhd in 2015.
Bung was Felcra’s non-executive chairman at the time.
During cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Low Chin How, Bung maintained that he had no knowledge of the money.
Low: You claim that you only learnt about Datin Seri (Zizie) receiving RM2.8 million when summoned by MACC (in 2016)?
Bung: That’s right.
Low: Surely at the time you were infuriated and sad?
Bung: I was shocked with what had happened.
Bung said he did not file a report with the authorities regarding the transactions to clear his name as he and his wife were already being investigated by MACC.
He agreed with Low that he never directed Zizie to return the money to Norhaili or Felcra, but at the same time, he was unsure if Zizie herself had returned it to either party.
He also denied any knowledge when asked if he knew that Zizie had invested RM1 million in Public Mutual Bhd through Norhaili.
Low then pointed out that Norhaili had attempted to secure an investment from Felcra during the tenure of Bung’s predecessor, Tajuddin Rahman, but was unsuccessful.
Bung agreed, however, that Norhaili succeeded in securing Felcra’s RM150 million investment during his time as chairman.
Bung faces 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 Hamid through Zizie at the Taman Melawati Public Bank branch between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.
He 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 hearing before judge Rosli Ahmad continues tomorrow.
