My acquittal has nothing to do with other politicians' cases, says Bung

KUALA LUMPUR: Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has denied that his acquittal from corruption charges is linked to other political leaders who were also freed.

He said the High Court judge had given his utmost commitment in adjudicating the case which had gone on for five years.

"There is no relation between my case and others. Just because (Umno president) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was freed, (it does not mean) I must be freed too.

"The judge has stated that I was acquitted and discharged due to the failure of the prosecution in proving wrongdoings, and two of (the prosecution's) main witnesses had made (an about-turn),” the Sabah Umno chief told reporters after leaving the courtroom here on Thursday (Sept 7).

Earlier, Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid approved the revision application made by Bung Moktar and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette to overturn the Sessions Court decision ordering them to enter their defence in a RM2.8mil corruption case.

ALSO READ: Bung, wife freed of graft charges

The judge said it was fit and proper for the court to exercise its revisionary power under Section 323 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Bung Moktar appeared calm while his wife sobbed after hearing the court’s decision.

"I'm thankful to Allah for the acquittal I received today. I'm also grateful to my team of lawyers for their hard work," he said.

On May 3, 2019, Bung Moktar was charged with two counts of accepting bribes of RM2.2mil and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra approval to invest RM150mil in Public Mutual unit trusts.

He was alleged to have accepted bribes from Public Mutual Berhad's investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid through Zizie Izette at Public Bank's Taman Melawati Branch here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.

Bung Moktar was also charged with receiving RM337,500 in cash from Unit Amanah consultant Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar under the name of Zizie Izette for the same reason and at the same place on June 19, 2015.

Zizie Izette, meanwhile, faced three charges of abetting her husband in the matter at the same place, date and time.