Kuala lumpur: The High Court today heard that there was no deception in the information submitted to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) regarding the shareholding structure of Nepturis Sdn Bhd.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the prosecution's 13th witness, Nepturis director and shareholder Aliza Abd Malek, testified during the cross-examination by defence counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad at the trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin is facing four charges of abuse of power and three counts of money laundering linked to the 'Jana Wibawa' programme.
Amer Hamzah questioned Aliza about the 30 per cent shareholding held by TC Lian (Lian Tan Chuan) and its non-disclosure to SSM. Aliza clarified that TC Lian had transferred his entire 100 per cent shareholding to her and Mohd Rizman Akum Khan. She asserted that the failure to provide SSM with accurate information did not amount to deception.
Aliza explained that although she and Mohd Rizman were directors and shareholders, TC Lian had injected capital into Nepturis. In 2018, she and Mohd Rizman took over Nepturis from TC Lian, holding a 50 per cent stake each. Despite TC Lian's name not appearing in corporate records, he held a 30 per cent interest known to her and Mohd Rizman.
She emphasized that the registration with SSM was valid, and no legal actions had been taken against any parties involved. Aliza described TC Lian as a long-time acquaintance who entrusted her and Mohd Rizman with managing the company, allowing them to oversee financial documents while keeping him informed.
During the trial, Aliza agreed with Amer Hamzah that Muhyiddin had no interest in Nepturis during his tenure as prime minister and that only she, Rizman, and TC Lian were connected to the company. She stated she had no knowledge of whether Muhyiddin was aware of Nepturis' ownership structure.
Aliza detailed Nepturis' awarded projects, including the North Klang district police headquarters and three other projects. She also disclosed her compensation as a director, which included a basic monthly salary of RM6,500, a RM6,000 allowance, and a two-month annual bonus.
The court also heard testimony from the 14th prosecution witness, senior supervising civil engineer Ir Saipullah Husin. Muhyiddin, 79, who served as prime minister and Bersatu president, faces charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for allegedly abusing his position to obtain RM225.3 million for the party and under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 involving RM200 million. Convictions on these charges carry significant prison terms and fines.