Under re-examination by Chris Kooi, Zulfahimin Mahdzir’s lawyer, Nur Farihatul Mardziah Mohd Fisol told the Kuala Lumpur sessions court that she had made false allegations against Hilman in a series of texts on Jan 6, 2021, a month after the alleged incident.

Nur Farihatul also said she was “provoked” into making the allegations, Malaysiakini reported.

Kooi: Your message saying Hilman set it up … is there proof?

Nur Farihatul: No.

Kooi: (So) why send the message?

Nur Farihatul: Because she (the complainant) provoked me, I was angry … I was drunk at the time.

When Kooi suggested that the allegation against Hilman was false, Nur Farihatul said: “Yes, false.”

The charge against Zulfahimin, Hilman’s aide, follows an allegation by the complainant that she was taken to a room at Dorsett Hartamas when she was drunk and raped by Zulfahimin after her birthday party on Dec 5, 2020.

The woman filed a police report on Dec 5, 2020, but retracted it three days later claiming she was being intimidated by Hilman’s men.

Subsequently, she said she lodged another report in January 2021 after regaining her strength and seeking counselling from the Women’s Aid Organisation.

In her testimony, the complainant accused Nur Farihatul of conspiring with Hilman when they left the hotel together, leaving her in bed while intoxicated during the alleged incident.

Nur Farihatul denied the claim, saying that another friend known as Rina had suggested they book a hotel room for the complainant, who was drunk and had vomited on the accused when they were all at a karaoke lounge.

When questioned by deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas, Nur Farihatul confirmed that a series of eight images from Dorsett Hartamas’ CCTV footage showed their group of six walking towards a hotel room.

Nur Farihatul said Hilman had assisted the complainant while she and Rina followed behind. Zulfahimin had led the way and held the room door open.

She also identified a sixth person known as Adi, who she said was Hilman’s associate.

Nur Farihatul said she was the fourth to leave the hotel room after Rina, Hilman and Zulfahimin, while Adi was the last to leave.

“I saw the complainant sleeping in bed in good condition, fully dressed. I didn’t see anyone in bed with her.”

However, under cross-examination, Nur Farihatul said she could have been mistaken over who had left the hotel room as she was also drunk at the time.

On Sept 7, Zulfahimin pleaded not guilty to the rape charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code.

Proceedings before judge Norhasniah Abdul Razak will resume on Oct 20.