KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman who contributed RM1mil to Bersatu told the High Court that party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin never sought contributions for himself or the party, as he did not know the former prime minister personally.
Metrasys Sdn Bhd company director Lian Tan Chuan, also known as TC Lian, testified that he had never met Muhyiddin before instructing his business partner, Aliza Abd Malek, to prepare five letters indicating the company's interest in applying for projects under the Jana Wibawa programme.
Lian said former Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad informed him that Muhyiddin had made a supporting minute on the application letters.
The witness said this during cross-examination by Muhyiddin's lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad in the graft trial linked to the Jana Wibawa project on Thursday (Aug 20).
Amer Hamzah: There was never a discussion between you and Muhyiddin before you instructed Aliza to issue the letters of interest for all five companies including Nepturis Sdn Bhd, agreed?
Lian: I agree.
Amer Hamzah: Because there was never a discussion between you and Muhyiddin, do you agree with me that Muhyiddin never asked you for any contributions for himself or Bersatu, you agree?
Lian: I agree.
The lawyer also queried Lian over his relationship with Adam Radlan, whom Lian said was his business partner in 2021.
Lian said his company entered into a joint venture with Adam's company Bayu Bumiraya Sdn Bhd for a school construction project in Jinjang.
The witness agreed with Amer Hamzah's suggestion that Adam Radlan had requested a donation for Bersatu.
Amer Hamzah: So Adam has requested for donation from you for Bersatu?
Lian: Yes, agreed.
Amer Hamzah: That request by Adam was made in 2021?
Lian: Agreed.
Amer Hamzah: And the only person who didn't make a request for donation was Muhyiddin? Agreed?
Lian: Agreed.
The witness was later asked to identify Adam Radlan, who appeared before the court, for identification purposes.
It is understood that Adam Radlan is listed as a prosecution witness and is expected to testify.
Former prime minister Muhyiddin, 79, was charged with four counts of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM225.3mil in relation to the Jana Wibawa project from four companies and an individual; Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd, KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd, and Datuk Azman Yusoff.
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 which were deposited into Bersatu's bank accounts between February 2021 and July 2022.
The hearing continues before Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin on Friday (Aug 21).
