Investigating officer Haris Ibrahim said he had suggested that Bung be charged with accepting corrupt money in his capacity as chairman of Felcra under Section 17 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.
“I also proposed that Zizie be charged with abetment under Section 28 (1) (c) of the same Act,” the prosecution witness said when examined by deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How.
However, the court expunged details of Haris’ proposal due to objections from lawyers M Athimulan and K Kumaraendran, appearing for Bung and Zizie, respectively.
“The witness (Haris) is trying to circumvent his evidence now since this court had earlier ruled that a report made by him to begin the investigation was inadmissible,” Kumaraendran said.
Haris, who is the 27th and last prosecution witness, said he recorded a statement from Public Mutual unit trust consultant Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar while another four were taken by other officers.
“I read the contents of the statement before she signed. She understood the contents,” Haris added.
Between June 2016 and December 2018, Norhaili gave five statements to the MACC investigators that Bung had corruptly solicited RM3.5 million from her.
However, during examination-in-chief, she told the court that Bung had never asked for the money during a meeting at a hotel and the RM2.8 million given to Zizie was merely an introduction fee, which is considered a legal payment.
Another prosecution witness, Public Mutual investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid, also gave evidence that was similar to Norhaili’s to exonerate Bung but Haris said his statements were recorded by other officers.
The prosecution had declared both as hostile witnesses but allowed them to be cross-examined.
Haris also told the court that Norhaili and Madhi never complained to him about anything when they came to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to have their statements recorded.
“I also never induced, coerced or promised them anything when they gave their statements,” he said.
Bung, 64, who is also the Kinabatangan MP and Sabah deputy chief minister, is facing two charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra’s approval to invest in the Public Mutual unit trust fund.
As the non-executive chairman of Felcra at the time, he is accused of accepting the bribe through Zizie at Public Bank’s Taman Melawati branch here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015.
He also pleaded not guilty to accepting RM335,500 in cash as a bribe from Norhaili, through Zizie, for the same reason and at the same place on June 19, 2015.
Zizie, 44, pleaded not guilty to three charges of abetting her husband in the matter at the same place, date and time.
The hearing before trial judge Rozina Ayob continues.