MALAY MAIL
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Wife of Kinabatangan MP and famed actress Datin Seri Zizie Izette A. Samad claimed trial today to three charges of abetting husband Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in obtaining bribes amounting to RM2.8 million in exchange for securing a RM150 million investment for Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra).
The 41-year-old who was wearing a black hijab and matching pants suit, nodded her head when asked if she understood each of the the three charges that were read out to her before Judge Azura Alwi.
Zizie had lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran next to the dock as the three charges were read out to her, and was facing Deputy Public Prosecutors Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar and Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar.
She was accused of conspiring with Bung Moktar who at that time was a non-executive director of Felcra, by accepting the bribes on June 12 and 19, 2015, from two separate Public Mutual investment agents at the Taman Melawati Public Bank Berhad branch.
In the first charge, Zizie was accused of abetting Bung Moktar in receiving a RM2.2 million cash bribe from one Madhi Abdul Hamid, said to be a Public Mutual Berhad investment agent, at the Taman Melawati bank branch on June 12, 2015 between 12.30pm and 5pm.
The second charge states that Zizie had at 12.16pm on June 19 that same year, abetted her husband to commit bribery by receiving RM252,500, also from Madhi, channeled into a Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund account number 044797816 registered in her name.
In the third abetment charge, Zizie was said to have received RM337,500 from one Norhaili Ahmad Moktar, also Public Mutual Berhad investment agent, on the same date and at the same bank branch, but at 12.28pm.
The third charge stated that the funds were obtained this time through a Public Ittikal Sequel Fund account number ― 044797824 also registered under Zizie’s name.
The bribe was a reward for her husband in obtaining approval from the Finance Minister II for Felcra to make the RM150 million unit trust investment with Public Mutual.
Zizie was accused of abetting and or engaging in a criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, read under Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption (MACC) Act 2009.
If convicted, she can be sentenced to jail for up to 20 years and a fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of the bribe, whichever is higher, under Section 24(1) of the MACC Act.
Judge Azura set bail at RM100,000 as suggested by Umar, with one local surety and for Zizie’s passport to be surrendered to the court until disposal of the case.
The defence did not raise any objections to the bail amount and conditions.
Zizie’s case was transferred to the Sessions Court 8 by Judge Azura, upon request by Umar, for the case to be jointly tried with her husband.
June 10 was set as the next mention date with both accused set to appear before Judge Rozina Ayob.
At about 11.45am, Zizie was seen leaving the court complex with husband Bung Moktar in a black Toyota Vellfire. Neither of them spoke to the media.
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