KUALA LUMPUR: KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd director Datuk Seri Azman Yusoff asserts that he appeared in court to tell the truth regardless of whether former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wins or loses his ongoing case.
Azman, 54, who is also the president of the Bumiputra Contractors Association of Malaysia (PKBM), said this during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin at the trial of Muhyiddin, who faces seven charges of abuse of power and money laundering.
"I am present in court to tell the truth and I do not care whether Muhyiddin wins or loses this case. I don't mind... what matters is that I am telling the truth in court. I have taken an oath," said the 27th prosecution witness.
Azman also described the content of a complaint form alleging that he solicited and received money from contractor companies related to the procurement of the Jana Wibawa project as slander against him.
"I was not remanded and not charged in court because I did not commit any offence.
"Corruption only involves people who hold power. The Prime Minister and the Finance Ministry have power... so for me, only those in power can solicit and receive (bribes). I have no power in this matter," he said.
He also dismissed the defence's allegation that he received "special treatment" from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) simply because he was not remanded or charged.
"What do the lawyers mean by 'special treatment'? Just because I was not remanded and charged, they consider it 'special treatment'," he said.
Azman stated that he went to the MACC office to provide truthful testimony and explained that he had no power to award the Jana Wibawa project to any contractor company.
According to him, he merely informed contractor companies that if they secured the project, they were requested to make a contribution to Bersatu.
He said that when meeting Muhyiddin at a golf event in July 2020, the former prime minister told him that if any party wished to contribute to Bersatu, the contribution must be channelled directly into the party's account and not given to individuals.
Asked by Wan Shaharuddin why the witness did not lodge a report against Muhyiddin despite knowing that the request regarding the contribution was wrong, Azman said he was merely obeying instructions given.
"I am not evil or 'destitute' enough to sell Muhyiddin's name to get money to be channelled to Bersatu. I am indebted to Muhyiddin because he helped bumiputra contractors during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am not that evil," he said.
Azman added that he would also not misuse Muhyiddin's name to obtain money for Bersatu out of gratitude to the former Prime Minister, who he noted helped bumiputra contractors extensively during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Muhyiddin, asked to inspect Azman's notes after claiming the witness gave "coached answers" when seen bowing down as if reading something before answering the prosecution's questions.
High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin then asked to look at the paper before stating, "I see he (Azman) is writing. This is his answer to the question asked. If we hear a question, we take notes."
Meanwhile, Azman also denied using his position as PKBM president to obtain government projects or wielding influence among Works Ministry officials.
Muhyiddin, 79, faces four charges of using his position as prime minister and Bersatu president to obtain bribes totaling RM225.3 million for the party in connection with the Jana Wibawa project between March 2020 and August 2021.
The Pagoh MP also faces three charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM200mil, allegedly received from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd and deposited into Bersatu's account between February 2021 and July 2022.
The trial continues on Sept 14. – Bernama
