Kuala lumpur: Former Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz testified in the High Court today, stating that former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had issued minutes on support letters for five companies related to the North Klang District Police Headquarters project in Selangor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul noted that the companies involved were MZ Hakujaya Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Fastcoll Corporation Sdn Bhd, Permata Rebana Sdn Bhd, and JM Letrik Sdn Bhd. The minutes, dated February 3, 2021, included Muhyiddin's agreement for the project to proceed via a pre-qualification procurement process, which was to be conducted by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Public Works Department (PWD).
Tengku Zafrul, serving as the prosecution's 11th witness, explained that as Finance Minister, he interpreted the minutes as a directive given Muhyiddin's position as Prime Minister. He clarified that he was not acquainted with the companies' owners and was unaware of how they became informed about the project. He also confirmed that he had not received any contributions from these companies nor had he been informed of any received by Muhyiddin or Bersatu.
He detailed the procurement process, stating that only companies passing the MOF's Contractor Evaluation Committee assessment were eligible for the PWD's pre-qualification tender. Nepturis Sdn Bhd ultimately secured the project through this process, and Tengku Zafrul affirmed he had received no instruction from Muhyiddin to revoke the award.
During the Jana Wibawa programme, Tengku Zafrul emphasized that the Prime Minister's Office recommended all contractor companies, with the MOF serving as the implementing agency responsible for evaluation and finalizing appointments. He clarified that the Finance Minister, not the Prime Minister, had the authority to determine the procurement method.
Muhyiddin is on trial facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM225.3 million in bribes for Bersatu from three companies, including Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and from Datuk Azman Yusoff. These alleged offenses occurred at the Prime Minister's Office between March 2020 and August 2021. The charges are under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine.
Additionally, Muhyiddin faces three charges of receiving RM200 million in unlawful proceeds from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, deposited into Bersatu's bank accounts between February 2021 and July 2022. These charges fall under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which could result in up to 15 years in prison and a substantial fine if convicted.
The trial, presided over by Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, is set to continue tomorrow.