KUALA LUMPUR — An officer from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) testified that the investigation into former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not conducted with the intent to persecute him. Mazery Mohd Zaini, 42, made these statements during cross-examination at the High Court yesterday in the ongoing case concerning the Jana Wibawa programme.
Mazery, who is involved in the investigation, also denied allegations that key prosecution witnesses received special treatment. This came amid defense claims that Datuk Azman Yusoff, director of KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd and a primary prosecution witness, was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. Defense counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik suggested that there was a “handshake” deal between MACC and Azman to provide protection in return for cooperation. Mazery refuted this, rejecting the assertion of any such arrangement.
The controversy surrounding Azman intensified after he admitted in court on August 27 that he gave testimony to “save himself” from prosecution. The defense has sought to recall Azman along with two other witnesses—Shahradzi Shamsuddin, managing director of Mamfor Sdn Bhd, and Lian Tan Chuan, also known as TC Lian, founder of Nepturis Sdn Bhd—who had previously completed their testimony.
Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin permitted the recall under the condition that questioning be limited to topics regarding financial contributions to Bersatu, the political party co-founded by Muhyiddin, and their connection to businessman Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad. Adam Radlan is reportedly a cousin of Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, Muhyiddin’s son-in-law.
Defense lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad argued that the prosecution’s decision not to summon Adam Radlan for testimony has compromised the defense’s strategy. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin countered that the witnesses had already been questioned about Adam Radlan during their initial testimonies and urged the court not to entertain the defense’s claims regarding the absence of Adam Radlan on the stand.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin, 79, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totaling RM225.3 million linked to the Jana Wibawa Project from entities including Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd, KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd, and Datuk Azman Yusoff. In addition, he is charged with three counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM200 million, which were allegedly deposited into the bank accounts of Bersatu between February 2021 and July 2022.
The trial is ongoing.