Former finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz is expected to testify as the next prosecution witness in Muhyiddin Yassin’s corruption trial at the High Court on July 6.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed Justice Noor Ruwena Nurdin of the matter during proceedings today.
Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, told the court that the defence had yet to receive Tengku Zafrul’s witness statement.
“I was made to understand that it is lengthy,” he said.
Wan Shaharuddin later confirmed that the prosecution would provide the statement to the defence by June 19.
Tengku Zafrul served as finance minister during Muhyiddin’s administration between February 2020 and August 2021.
Judge reprimands prosecution
During proceedings, Justice Noor Ruwena also reprimanded the prosecution after it sought to vacate tomorrow’s hearing date.
The prosecution informed the court that one of its witnesses, a Public Works Department officer, would be on leave for Aidiladha, which falls on Wednesday.
The judge stressed that the case should be treated with priority given its high-profile nature and the level of public attention surrounding it.
“I hope this case is given priority like other cases. This is a high-profile case. People are watching and it should be given priority,” she said.
She added that Muhyiddin would also likely want the case concluded quickly as prolonged proceedings could affect his movements.
Justice Noor Ruwena also reminded the prosecution to conclude its case by Sept 14.
More witnesses expected
Since the trial began in March, 10 prosecution witnesses have testified, while another 20 witnesses are expected to take the stand by September.
Earlier today, the prosecution’s 10th witness, Companies Commission of Malaysia assistant registrar R Harshini, verified corporate records involving four companies allegedly linked to the case.
The companies named were Mamfor Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Sutracom Sdn Bhd and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd.
Muhyiddin, 78, faces seven charges connected to the Jana Wibawa programme, which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist Bumiputera contractors.
Charges linked to Jana Wibawa programme
Muhyiddin faces four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM225.3 million in bribes for Bersatu from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and businessman Azman Yusoff.
The offences were allegedly committed at the Prime Minister’s Office between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
He also faces three money laundering charges involving RM200 million allegedly received from Bukhary Equity and deposited into Bersatu accounts at AmBank and CIMB Bank.
The alleged offences were said to have taken place at AmBank in Petaling Jaya and CIMB Bank at Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, between Feb 25, 2021 and July 8, 2022.
Muhyiddin’s defence team includes Amer Hamzah Arshad, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rosli Dahlan, Chetan Jethwani, K Kumaraendran, Kee Wei Loon, Low Wei Loke, Siti Summaiyah Ahmad Jaafar, Lee Yei Wei, Tang Jia Yearn and Joshua Tay.
The prosecution team comprises Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Akram Gharib, Noralis Mat, Mahadi Jumaat, Alis Izzati Azurin Rusdi and Safari Abdullah.
