Muhyiddin Trial: Witness Unsure RM1m Cheque Issued to Bersatu Constitutes a Bribe

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Key prosecution testimony in the High Court today failed to establish criminal wrongdoing against former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as a crucial witness admitted he could not confirm whether a RM1 million payment to Bersatu constituted a bribe or gratification.

Nepturis Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Rizman Akum Khan, 43, testified that while he signed the Maybank Islamic Berhad cheque dated February 16, 2022, he did so strictly under instructions from businessman Lian Tan Chuan, also known as TC Lian.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, the 16th prosecution witness explicitly stated he was completely unsure of the cheque’s true purpose. When pressed by the defence on whether the RM1 million was a legitimate political donation rather than a bribe, Mohd Rizman conceded that he could not determine the nature of the transaction.

“I confirm that I signed this cheque. It bears my signature. After preparing and signing the cheque, I handed it back to TC Lian,” Mohd Rizman said, adding that any questions regarding whether the money was a formal donation or remuneration must be referred solely to TC Lian.

The defence further established that the corporate decisions of Nepturis were driven by TC Lian, who held a 30 per cent interest in the company via capital injections from Metrasys Sdn Bhd, despite his name not appearing in the official Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) shareholding records.

Addressing questions from Judicial Commissioner Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin regarding the company’s structural declarations, Mohd Rizman clarified that keeping TC Lian’s shares internal was a standard business strategy and not an offence. The arrangement ensured Nepturis maintained its status as a Bumiputera-qualified company to securely participate in government tenders.

“Metrasys would not participate in any government project because it is not a 100 per cent Bumiputera-owned company. Even if TC Lian held shares in Nepturis, it would still qualify as a Bumiputera company because he owned only a 30 per cent stake,” Mohd Rizman explained, confirming that the company went on to successfully secure the RM141 million North Klang district police headquarters project.

Mohd Rizman also noted that a February 1, 2021 communication addressed to Muhyiddin regarding the Selangor police headquarters development was executed purely at the behest of TC Lian, rather than any personal initiative involving the Bersatu president.

Muhyiddin, 79, faces four charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and three charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The defence maintains that all funds deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts were lawful political contributions and did not involve any abuse of official position.

The High Court has scheduled the trial to continue on July 27.

-NMT