Kuala lumpur: The director of KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd told the High Court today that he contributed RM4.8 million to Bersatu after his company was awarded the project to build a new road connecting Felda Bukit Jalor to Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, through direct negotiations under the Jana Wibawa Programme worth RM62 million.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Azman Yusoff, 54, stated that the payment was made based on the company's calculation and ability to contribute approximately seven to eight per cent of the value of the project. He noted that profits in government road construction projects can reach approximately 15 to 20 per cent. Azman confirmed that RM4 million was from his personal account, while RM800,000 came from his company account, KCJ Engineering.
Azman explained that he prepared the cheques for the RM4 million contribution and handed them over to Bersatu's treasurer, Datuk Salleh Baijuri. The funds for this payment originated from a loan he took from his own company, which would be deducted from the company's dividend payment to him at the end of the year. He made this statement as the 27th prosecution witness at the trial of Muhyiddin, who is facing seven charges of abuse of position and money laundering related to the Jana Wibawa project.
The businessman with 25 years of experience in government project construction said that despite his company not yet receiving payments from the government for the Jana Wibawa project, he advanced the money with the expectation of receiving advance payments and claims from the Public Works Department (JKR) after securing a Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the project.
Regarding the RM800,000 contribution, Azman instructed his company accountant, Zuraida, to prepare the cheques, which he personally handed to Datuk Salleh Baijuri. This amount was sourced from payments received from the Public Works Department for another project at the Main Building of Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, Seremban, where he was a subcontractor.
Azman detailed that his decision to contribute was influenced by a spontaneous notification from Muhyiddin, who indicated that companies receiving projects under the Jana Wibawa programme should contribute to Bersatu. Azman considered this a necessary step to gain support and assistance, believing that his company's success in securing the project was due to Muhyiddin's support.
Azman recounted his meeting with Muhyiddin in July 2020 at a charity golf tournament, where he inquired about project opportunities for members of the Bumiputera Contractors Association of Malaysia. Muhyiddin informed him about the Jana Wibawa Programme aimed at accelerating economic recovery and assisting Bumiputera contractors through direct negotiation appointments.
Muhyiddin, who was the Prime Minister and Bersatu president at the time, faces charges of using his position to obtain bribes totaling RM225.3 million for the party from several companies, including KCJ Engineering. These charges, under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, carry a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a significant fine if convicted.
Additionally, Muhyiddin faces charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 for allegedly receiving RM200 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, with the funds deposited into Bersatu's bank accounts. This charge entails a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a substantial fine if convicted.
The trial before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin continues tomorrow.