Kuala lumpur: The High Court was told today that Nepturis Sdn Bhd secured the RM141 million construction project for the Klang Utara District Police Headquarters (IPD) in Selangor during the ongoing trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who faces seven charges of abuse of power and money laundering.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, company director and senior procurement executive Aliza Abd Malek, 47, stated that Nepturis received an email on March 26, 2021, from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) regarding the Jana Wibawa pre-qualification assessment. Aliza revealed that she learned about the project through this email and subsequently informed her colleagues. She directed her team to prepare and submit the necessary documents to the MOF within the stipulated deadline.
The 13th prosecution witness further added that Nepturis was required to submit tender documents to the Public Works Department (JKR) for the project. Aliza confirmed that JKR issued a letter of intent on December 10, 2021, and she signed the acceptance at the offered price shortly thereafter. The Letter of Acceptance was issued by JKR on January 12, 2022.
Aliza confirmed that since Nepturis secured the project, payments to subcontractors were made via company cheques or bank transfers handled by the company's finance department. She mentioned that she was directed by TC Lian to draft a letter addressed to the then prime minister, Muhyiddin, concerning the Jana Wibawa project. Aliza was instructed to prepare similar letters for other companies linked to TC Lian, establishing a pattern of communication intended to secure support for the projects.
Aliza's testimony also shed light on the company's structure. She and Mohd Rizman took over Nepturis from TC Lian in 2018, becoming directors and equal shareholders. Although TC Lian's name was not formally associated with Nepturis, Aliza stated that he held a substantial stake due to his financial contributions through Metrasys Sdn Bhd, necessitating consultation on company decisions.
The trial continues as Muhyiddin, who was then Prime Minister and Bersatu president, is charged with soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes for the political party from various entities, including Nepturis, related to the Jana Wibawa project. He faces additional charges of receiving RM200 million in unlawful proceeds, with potential penalties involving significant imprisonment and fines.
The trial before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin is set to resume tomorrow.