Witness confirms signing RM1 million cheque paid into Bersatu account in Muhyiddin corruption trial
KUALA LUMPUR: A prosecution witness in the corruption trial involving former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has confirmed that he signed a RM1 million cheque which was later deposited into the bank account of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), but told the High Court he was unaware of the purpose behind the payment.
The testimony came from Nepturis Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Rizman Akum Khan, the prosecution’s 16th witness, during proceedings before the High Court on Friday.
Mohd Rizman told the court that he prepared and signed the cheque dated February 16, 2022, following instructions from businessman Lian Tian Chuan, who is also known as TC Lian and was the former owner of Nepturis.
Reading from his witness statement, Mohd Rizman confirmed that the RM1 million payment was made to Bersatu and that the signature appearing on the cheque was his own.
He further testified that after signing the cheque, he returned it to Lian as instructed.
However, during cross-examination by defence counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, who is representing Muhyiddin, the witness repeatedly maintained that he had no personal knowledge of the purpose of the payment.
When asked whether the RM1 million could be regarded as a bribe, Mohd Rizman said he was unable to make that determination and insisted only Lian could explain the reason behind the transaction.
He told the court that he merely carried out instructions given by Lian and did not independently verify whether the payment represented a political donation, a business payment or any other form of transaction.
The defence also questioned why no clarification had been sought before the cheque was issued, to which Mohd Rizman reiterated that he acted solely under the direction of the former company owner.
During re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, the witness distinguished between a donation and a reward, explaining that a donation refers to a contribution made voluntarily, while a reward is generally given in return for assistance or as a gesture of appreciation.
Nevertheless, when asked whether the RM1 million payment fell into either category, Mohd Rizman again maintained that only Lian was in a position to answer that question.
The court also heard further evidence regarding the ownership structure of Nepturis.
Although an earlier witness had testified that Mohd Rizman and fellow director Aliza Abdul Malek each owned 50 per cent of the company after acquiring it from Lian in 2018, Mohd Rizman disclosed that Lian continued to hold a beneficial interest despite not being listed as a shareholder in records maintained by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
According to the witness, the company’s actual ownership structure allocated 35 per cent each to himself and Aliza, while Lian retained a 30 per cent interest.
When questioned by High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin regarding the discrepancy, Mohd Rizman explained that the arrangement formed part of a business strategy intended to facilitate the company’s Bumiputera status when bidding for government projects.
Muhyiddin faces several charges alleging that, while serving as Prime Minister and Bersatu president, he abused his position in relation to payments amounting to RM232.5 million from businessman Azman Yusoff and several companies, including Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, for the benefit of the political party.
He also faces separate charges of allegedly receiving RM195 million, said to be proceeds from unlawful activities, which were deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.
The trial is scheduled to resume before the High Court on July 27.
