Bung Moktar and wife's corruption trial commences

KUALA LUMPUR: The joint trial of Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Ezette Abd Samad started today (Jan 2), and a witness confirmed their marriage status during the hearing at the Sessions Court.

Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) marriage and family development unit assistant director Mohd Abd Nasir Abdullah, 42, testified that the solemnisation of their marriage was done in accordance with Islamic law.

He said the couple was married on June 9,2010, and Zizie's brother Samzy Fuzette acted as the wali (guardian) during the ceremony.

However, the marriage was only registered on April 29,2014.

"I confirm that the marriage certificate was issued by Jawi after receiving a court order from the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court," he said.

Nasir was reading his witness statement on the first day of Bung Moktar and Zizie's corruption trial involving RM2.8mil related to Felcra's investment.

The witness was under examination by DPP Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Only one witness took the stand during the hearing today.

Earlier during the proceedings, the charges against Bung Moktar and Zizie were amended and both pleaded not guilty to three amended charges.

According to the first amended charge, Bung Moktar, who was then a Felcra non-executive chairman, obtained for himself a RM2.2mil bribe from a Public Mutual investment agent, Madhi Abdul Hamid, 38, through Zizie.

He is said to have committed the offence as an inducement for an approval from the Finance Minister II for Felcra to make an investment of RM150mil to join Public Mutual's unit trust investment.

The offence was reportedly committed at Public Bank, No. 262-265, Jalan Bandar 12, Taman Melawati here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12,2015.

In the second charge, he is accused of corruptly obtaining for himself a RM262,500 bribe from the same person, Madhi, through Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund (PITGF) account with the number 044797816, which was registered under Zizie's name, for the same purpose.

The third charge accuses Bung Moktar of corruptly obtaining for himself a RM337,500 bribe from another Public Mutual investment agent, Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, 42, through Public Ittikal Sequel Fund (PITSEQ) account with the number 044797824.

The account was registered under Zizie's name.

Both offences are said to have been committed at the same location between 12.16pm and 12.28pm on June 19,2015.

All the charges are framed under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act which carries a maximum 20 years imprisonment and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Zizie pleaded not guilty to three charges under Section 28(1) (c) of the MACC Act for allegedly abetting her husband in the offences.

The trial before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob continues on Friday (Jan 3).