Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop said he was not aware of the RM2.1 million allegedly received by his former political secretary Hasbie Satar, who was charged with money-laundering in February 2011.

“I do not really know. I am not really a politician, I am more of a technical person,” Nor Mohamed said during the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Anselm Charles Fernandis in the Butterworth Sessions Court today.

“In my opinion if there is any contribution, he should inform the boss,” added Nor Mohamed, the current Khazanah deputy chairperson.

Nor Mohamed, who was also former second finance minister, also denied that Hasbie ( in red in photo ) had ever informed him about receiving any political funding.

Asked about the procedures of receiving political funding, the former Tasek Gelugor parliamentarian said he was not sure about the matter.

“I am not a politician but in my opinion, if they were any political funding, it should be channelled to a proper account,” he answered.

Hasbie was nabbed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Feb 11, 2010 for being in possession of the cash at an apartment in Ayer Teluk Tawar.

The apartment is owned by former state Umno Youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin, who testified in court in December last year that he bought the Seri Melor unit in June 2008 and rented it to Hasbie for RM1,500 per month for use as Nor Mohamed’ s service centre.

Nor Mohamed however denied it was his official service centre, adding that he has one in Sungai Dua.

“The place was used for political meetings, to meet some people,” Nor Mohamed said, adding that he had visited the unit and was aware that Hasbie stayed there when he was in Penang.

However, Nor Mohamed said he was not aware of the RM2.134 million allegedly received by Hasbie, nor did he have knowledge of whether the amount was kept in the apartment nor how it was used.

Judge Ikmal Hisham Mohd Tajuddin presided over the case which begun at 2.30pm today, while Badrul Munir Bukhairi acted as Hasbie’s defence lawyer.

During cross-examination, Badrul Munir asked if the money was a surplus from the Permatang Pasir by-election fund, in August 2009, which Umno eventually lost to PAS.

He was also asked whether he knew how much was the amount and that it was allegedly held by Hasbie and Nor Mohamed’s political secretary.

To this, the two-term senator replied, “I cannot remember and I am not sure.”

Nor Mohamed was also asked about his relationship with Hasbie since the two met in April 2000 when the former was appointed the economic adviser to then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Nor Mohamed asked to clarify Hasbie’s role

Nor Mohamed was asked to clarify Hasbie’s role and duties as his senior secretary from 2004 to 2009 when the former was then second finance minister and from January 2008 to 2013 when he was minister in the PM’s Department.

He was also asked to state Hasbie’s job responsibilities when he was political secretary to the one-term MP (from March 2008 to May last year).

The DPP also went through normal procedures for procurement, tender and direct negotiation process for government projects.

“He worked as an administrator while he was senior secretary and took care of my official and political duties in Tasek Gelugor when I was MP,” said Nor Mohamed.

The 41-year-old Hasbie faces a fine of up to RM5 million or five years in prison or both, upon conviction under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Financing of Terrorism Act 2001.

The case was adjourned to March 6, while the DPP  has another 15 witnesses to examine.

Hasbie is also facing 28 counts of money-laundering in Shah Alam.