Court hears Bersatu finance officer testify that Muhyiddin was among three signatories for party’s CIMB account receiving contributions.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today heard that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was among the individuals authorised to sign cheques for Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account, which received party contributions and membership fees.
Bersatu finance officer Muhammad Zulhelmi Zaulkafly, 34, said the account had three signatories, namely Muhyiddin, who was the party president at the time; then-deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu; and then-treasurer-general Datuk Mohamed Salleh Bajuri, who was a mandatory signatory.
“The signatories for the account were the party president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, and Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, with any two of them required to sign,” he said.
Muhammad Zulhelmi, the 22nd prosecution witness, was testifying in the trial of the former prime minister, who is facing seven charges of abuse of power and money laundering.
He said Bersatu had two bank accounts, CIMB Bank and AmBank, which were monitored by the party’s treasurer-general.
During examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, the witness said the CIMB Bank account was used to receive contributions and membership fees, while the AmBank account was for administrative and operational purposes.
Mahadi asked which account donations from the public or companies were deposited into, and the witness replied: “The CIMB Bank account.”
The witness said the treasurer-general was responsible for presenting Bersatu’s financial matters to the party’s Supreme Leadership Council, which included the party president.
However, he agreed with a suggestion by lawyer Chetan Jethwani, representing Muhyiddin, that no individual had exclusive control over the party’s finances despite the existence of two signatories.
When questioned by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin on Muhyiddin’s role in the party’s management committee, Muhammad Zulhelmi said Muhyiddin oversaw the committee’s role and the management of party affairs. He said the committee was responsible for handling the party’s administration, management and financial matters.
Muhyiddin, 79, who was prime minister and Bersatu president at the time, is facing four charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 of allegedly abusing his position to obtain RM225.3 million in gratification for the party in connection with the Jana Wibawa programme between March 2020 and August 2021.
The Pagoh MP also faces three charges under Section 4(1)(b), read together with Section 87(1), of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 involving RM200 million allegedly deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts between February 2021 and July 2022.
The offences carry maximum prison terms of 20 years and 15 years respectively, as well as fines, upon conviction.
The trial before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin continues on Aug 17.
