KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has been told that Mamfor Sdn Bhd sent cover letters to a bank, along with remittance forms to Bersatu, expressing its intention to make a monetary donation of RM19.5mil to the political party.
PKNS Shah Alam Bank Muamalat assistant branch manager Norazeanti Miswan, who was testifying in the graft trial of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said the letters were attached to the forms used for the transactions to Bersatu between 2021 and 2022.
On Tuesday (April 28), the court heard that the RM19.5mil was transferred through 29 banker's cheques and the same witness said the branch flagged the "unusual" transactions with Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) due to its large amount and frequency.
During cross-examination by Muhyiddin's lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Norazeanti agreed that the same letters were also addressed to Bersatu's headquarters, with the word "contribution" used.
Amer Hamzah: All the letters stated "contributions" to Bersatu?
Norazeanti: Agreed.
Amer Hamzah: They were all addressed to the party treasurer, not the president?
Norazeanti: Agreed.
Amer Hamzah: In conclusion, all the banker's cheques and supporting letters proved that Mamfor's contribution to Bersatu was a transparent contribution?
Norazeanti: Agreed.
Amer Hamzah: All of the contribution were meant for Bersatu, not Muhyiddin?
Norazeanti: Agreed.
When re-examined by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noralis Mat on the STRs issued by the branch, Norazeanti maintained that it was suspicious as the customer had never made such transactions before.
"It is my duty as a bank officer to report any suspicious transactions. However, I am not aware happens next at the headquarters.
"Whether it is right or wrong, it is my duty to report," the witness added.
Muhyiddin, 78, who was then prime minister and Bersatu president, was charged with four counts of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM225.3mil in relation to the Jana Wibawa project from three companies and an individual for the party.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
He also faces three counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM200mil deposited into Bersatu's bank accounts between February 2021 and July 2022.
The hearing resumes before Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin on May 25.
