Muhyiddin told me “IF any Bersatu members or contractors wish to donate, they can donate directly to Bersatu and not to any individuals”, Says Witness

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — High Court testimony today in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Jana Wibawa trial highlighted that political contributions from contractors were remitted directly into official party accounts, following general, non-mandatory guidance provided by the former Prime Minister.

Testifying as the 27th prosecution witness before High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, Bumiputera Contractors Association of Malaysia (PKBM) President and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd Managing Director Datuk Seri Azman Yusoff detailed a July 2020 meeting at Tropicana Golf Club. Azman had initiated the session to seek government support for struggling Grade G7 contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, leading Muhyiddin to introduce the Jana Wibawa direct-negotiation initiative.

Discretionary Guidance and Transparent Party Channels

During his testimony under oath, Azman recounted Muhyiddin’s specific phrasing regarding political financing during that discussion, stating that Muhyiddin spontaneously remarked: “If any PKBM members or contractors wish to donate, they can donate directly to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM/Bersatu) and not to any individuals.”

The testimony brought focus to the discretionary wording of the statement (“if”), presenting political contributions as an open, optional choice for any voluntary party supporter rather than a mandatory prerequisite or condition tied to project allocations. Furthermore, Muhyiddin’s explicit instruction to channel any potential funds exclusively into official party accounts rather than personal hands established a clear protocol against individual graft.

RM4.8 Million Direct Remittance and Project Details

Following the initial meeting, KCJ Engineering secured a RM62 million road construction project from Felda Bukit Jalur to Gemas via direct negotiation. Azman subsequently remitted RM4.8 million—representing roughly 7% to 8% of the contract value—directly into Bersatu’s official CIMB Bank account via corporate and personal cheques (comprising RM4 million from his personal funds and RM800,000 from KCJ Engineering).

Azman explicitly testified that the donation was made out of gratitude for Muhyiddin’s assistance during an unprecedented economic crisis, stating: “If Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not help me to get this project through direct negotiation, I would not donate RM4.8 million to PPBM.”

Prosecution Questioning and Absence of Malice

Under questioning from lead prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Azman agreed that suggesting political donations during project discussions was inappropriate, stating: “Yes, I certainly agree this is an offence, but I as a businessman, I have to agree with the prime minister for the continuity of my business and also my friends’ businesses.”

However, Azman repeatedly affirmed under oath that he held no malicious intent toward Muhyiddin, emphasizing that he remained genuinely grateful to the former prime minister for helping Bumiputera contractors when commercial activity was paralyzed nationwide.

Intermediary Role and Other Contractors

Azman also testified that based on Muhyiddin’s general advice regarding party contributions, he subsequently shared the guidance with representatives from other companies after they secured direct-negotiation projects, specifically naming:

• Nepturis Sdn Bhd: Represented by Lian Tan Chuan (TC Lian).
• Sutracom Sdn Bhd: Represented by Shahradzi Shamsuddin.

In December 2020, Azman arranged a meeting at Publika, Kuala Lumpur, introducing Lian Tan Chuan to Bersatu Segambut division chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhamad, who confirmed his close ties to Muhyiddin. After Adam Radlan forwarded Nepturis’s letter of interest to the Prime Minister’s Office and the company secured the RM141 million Klang Utara District Police Headquarters (IPD) project, Azman advised Lian to contribute RM1 million to Bersatu.

Case Background

Muhyiddin, 79, currently faces seven active charges: four counts of abuse of power under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 involving RM225.3 million, and three counts of money laundering under AMLA involving RM200 million.

The trial resumes tomorrow, with defense counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad scheduled to begin cross-examination of Azman.of Azman.

–NMT