Over the past few weeks, several senior figures in the government have been guilty of corruption by the courts. This included the convicted former prime minister Najib Razak for misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to government-owned SRC International Sdn Bhd, alongside his wife Rosmah Mansor’s conviction on 3 bribery charges on Thursday (1 September).
However, the corruption charges did not just stop there, with the latest report saying Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad being ordered to enter defence by the Sessions Court on Friday (2 September) in connection to three counts of corruption charges.
According to The Star, Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob said the prosecution had successfully adduced credible evidence proving each and every essential ingredient of the offences.
Bung Moktar, also the former non-executive Felcra chairman is currently facing 3 charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM2.8mil to obtain approval for Felcra Berhad to invest RM150mil in Public Mutual unit trusts.
The first charge was Bung Moktar being accused of accepting bribes of RM2.2mil in cash from Public Mutual’s investment agent, Madhi Abdul Hamid, through Zizie Izette, at Public Bank’s Taman Melawati branch here between 12.30 pm and 5 pm on 12 June 2015.
The second charge was Bung Moktar being accused of accepting a bribe of RM262,500 in cash from Madhi through the Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund (PITGF) account number 044797816 registered in the name of Zizie Izette, for a similar purpose.
Bung Moktar was also accused of accepting bribe amounting to RM337,500 from Public Mutual’s investment agent, Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, through the Public Ittikal Sequel Fund (PITSEQ) account number 044797824 registered in the name of Zizie Izette.
The second and third offences were allegedly committed at the same location at 12.16 pm and 12.28 pm on 19 June 2015.
Meanwhile, Zizie has pleaded not guilty to all 3 charges abetting her husband in the matter at the same place, date and time.
The prosecution closed its case on 17 May after calling 30 witnesses to testify at the trial which began on 2 Jan 2020.
Among the prosecution witnesses called to testify were former finance minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, former Felcra Investments general manager Adnan Yusof, Felcra board member Dr Habibah Suleiman, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Assistant Superintendent Norsharil Saharom, as well as Public Mutual investment agents, Madhi Abdul Hamid and Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar.
The case is being handled by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Faridz Gohim Abdullah, Mohd Sophian Zakaria and Law Chin How, while lawyer M. Athimulan represents Bung Moktar and lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran and Ridha Abdah Subri are counsels for Zizie Izette.
 in connection to three counts of corruption charges.){kind=link}