Nov 18 verdict on whether Bung, wife to remain acquitted

Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Zizie Izette Abdul Samad will know on Nov 18 whether they will stay acquitted in a RM2.8 million corruption case.

The Court of Appeal this morning set the decision date over the prosecution’s appeal for the couple to be ordered to enter defence in the criminal case linked to unit trust investments.

On Sept 7 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed the couple’s bid to quash a lower court ruling for them to answer the charges.

Back on Sept 2 2022, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court ruled the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie (answerable) case against Bung and Zizie.

Bung is facing three charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM2.8 million to obtain approval for Felcra Bhd to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts.

The charges

According to the first charge, Bung, who was then-Felcra non-executive chairperson, was accused of accepting bribes of RM2.2 million in cash from Public Mutual agent Madhi Abdul Hamid, via Zizie.

The offence allegedly took place at the Public Bank Taman Melawati branch in Kuala Lumpur between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.

For the second charge, Bung is accused of accepting a bribe of RM262,500 in cash from Madhi through the Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund account number 044797816 registered in Zizie’s name, for a similar purpose.

The Sabah Umno chief is also accused of accepting a bribe of RM337,500 in cash from unit trust consultant Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, through the Public Ittikal Sequel Fund account number 044797824 registered in Zizie’s name.

The latter two offences were allegedly committed at the same location between 12.16pm and 12.28pm on June 19, 2015.

Zizie is facing three charges of abetting her husband over the matter at the same place, date, and time.

She was also charged with receiving RM337,500 in cash from Norhaili for the same reason and place on June 19, 2015.

The couple was first charged in 2019, and the Sessions Court ordered the duo to enter their defence.

However, last year the High Court ruled the lower court had erred and granted the couple a full acquittal.

Deputy public prosecutor Maziah Mohaide prosecuted during today’s appellate proceedings.

Counsels M Athimulan and K Kumaraendran appeared for Bung and Zizie respectively.

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