In a courtroom revelation that has raised eyebrows and stirred public curiosity, the widow of former politician Dato' Seri Bung Moktar Radin told the sessions court that the RM2.8 million she received years ago was simply an “introduction fee” for connecting her late husband to a unit trust investment opportunity.
Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, testifying in her defence, insisted that the payment had nothing to do with corruption or any influence involving Felcra Bhd. Instead, she described the transaction as a routine marketing practice by an investment agency eager to secure high-value investors.
Her explanation, however, has sparked public disbelief, with critics questioning how such a large sum could be offered merely for an introduction.
A Phone Call and a Mind-Boggling Windfall
According to Zizie’s witness statement, the unexpected story began with a phone call on June 11, 2015 from Public Mutual investment agent Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar. During the conversation, Norhaili allegedly informed her that she would receive RM2.8 million as a token of appreciation for introducing her husband to a potential investment deal.
Zizie said she was stunned by the announcement.
“I told her that I had not done anything,” she told the court. However, Norhaili reportedly explained that the payment was part of the agency’s “regular practice and marketing strategy” to reward introductions that could lead to business opportunities.
Still unsure about the arrangement, Zizie met Norhaili and another agent, Madhi Abdul Hamid, the following day at a Public Bank branch in Taman Melawati. During that meeting, she said the agents confirmed the payment details.
Cash and Investment Split
Zizie testified that the RM2.8 million was structured in two parts. According to her account, RM2.2 million was to be paid in cash while the remaining RM600,000 would be invested in Public Mutual unit trust products under her name.
She later learned that the investment portion had been divided between two funds: RM262,500 placed in the Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund and RM337,500 invested in the Public Ittikal Sequel Fund.
Despite the significant amount involved, Zizie said she did not inform her husband about the payment.
The reason, she explained, was simple: the couple maintained separate financial and investment affairs. Because the payment was related to what she considered her personal dealings, she did not feel obligated to disclose it.
Denying Corruption Allegations
Zizie firmly rejected accusations that the funds were bribes linked to Felcra Bhd’s investment decisions.
She told the court that she never collected money on behalf of Bung and had never encouraged or influenced him to secure approval from Felcra or the finance ministry for any investment in unit trusts.
The controversy stems from Felcra’s decision to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trust funds - a move prosecutors previously alleged involved bribery.
The Charges and Legal Battle
Bung Moktar, the former Kinabatangan MP and Sabah Umno chief, was charged in 2019 with accepting bribes totaling RM2.2 million and RM262,500, allegedly channelled through Zizie in exchange for facilitating Felcra’s investment approval.
Another charge involved RM337,500 allegedly obtained through a unit trust account registered under Zizie’s name.
Bung took the stand in his defence in September last year. However, the prosecution withdrew the charges against him earlier this year following his death.
Zizie now faces her own legal challenge under Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 for allegedly abetting the offences. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to five times the value of the alleged gratification.
As the trial continues before judge Rosli Ahmad, the case has ignited public debate about transparency, influence, and whether such massive “introduction fees” can truly fall from the sky without strings attached.
For many observers, the courtroom drama raises a simple but troubling question: in Malaysia’s political and financial circles, can millions really change hands so effortlessly - or is there always more beneath the surface?
By: Kpost
Information Source:
Kpost (ckhorsk@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
