Kuala lumpur: Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, widow of former Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, told the Sessions Court today that the RM2.8 million 'introduction fee' she received from two Public Mutual Berhad investment agents was given voluntarily and lawfully.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zizie Izette, 47, expressed surprise when Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar and Madhi Abdul Hamid, both prosecution witnesses, offered her the money as a token of appreciation for helping them expand their social network. She mentioned, "I was surprised. I told her (Norhaili) that I did nothing. However, Elly (Norhaili) said it was a common practice within her agency and part of its marketing strategy," while reading her witness statement during the defence trial.
The trial follows Zizie Izette facing three charges of abetting Bung Moktar in an RM2.8 million corruption case. The Sessions Court had earlier acquitted Bung Moktar of the charges after the prosecution decided not to proceed with the case following his death on December 5, 2025.
In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry questioned Zizie Izette regarding the RM2.8 million introduction fee. Zizie Izette revealed that she did not reject the money after inquiring about its source. She stated, "Before accepting it, I asked repeatedly (Norhaili) where the money came from and how it was obtained. After considering everything, I did not reject it."
Responding to Mohamad Fadhly's remark about her acceptance of the money, Zizie Izette confirmed, "After Norhaili convinced me. yes, I did not reject the money and agreed (to accept)." However, she disagreed with the suggestion that she knew the money was a bribe rather than an introduction fee.
During re-examination, defence counsel Ridha Abdah Subri asked Zizie Izette about her acceptance of the money. She clarified that after understanding the source of the money as Norhaili's commission from Public Mutual, she saw no wrongdoing and accepted it willingly.
Zizie Izette also emphasized that she never gave the money to her husband and had no involvement in his financial dealings, maintaining that she managed her finances separately. She denied any abetment of her husband in obtaining approval from Felcra Bhd or from the then Minister of Finance II for Felcra Bhd's investment in Public Mutual unit trust products.
The charges against her include abetting Bung Moktar in obtaining a RM2.2 million cash bribe from Madhi and receiving RM262,500 and RM337,500 from Madhi and Norhaili, respectively, through specific fund accounts. These acts were allegedly committed to induce Bung Moktar to secure approval for Felcra Berhad's investment in Public Mutual unit trust products.
All charges fall under Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides for severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines, upon conviction.