Marzuki Mohamad, a former principal private secretary to party president Muhyiddin Yassin, said no payments were made to Haniff during the time he headed Bersatu’s legal and constitutional bureau in the party’s early years because that was the practice then.

“Two other lawyers also offered their services voluntarily. It was standard practice not to offer remuneration,” said Marzuki, who now lectures at a university.

He was testifying in a lawsuit filed by Haniff in 2021 to claim RM12.5 million in legal fees from Bersatu. Haniff also named Muhyiddin, deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and treasurer Salleh Bajuri as co-defendants.

Haniff alleged that he had issued multiple invoices between January and March 2021, but received no response.

Bersatu, in its defence, claimed that his services from 2016 to 2020 were offered pro bono.

Marzuki also told the court he had drafted the party’s constitution and had sought Haniff’s feedback, but claimed Haniff never responded.

Asked by Haniff’s lawyer Nizamuddin Hamid whether he knew Haniff was never a party member, Marzuki said he never asked.

When questioned about Haniff’s invoices and reminders, Marzuki said he had not seen them and only learnt of the lawsuit through media reports.

Justice Akhtar Tahir fixed Aug 25 for a decision after Bersatu’s lawyer Chetan Jethwani confirmed that the defence had closed its case.