The joint corruption trial of Umno’s Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his actress wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette A Samad began in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.
The first day of the RM2.8 million corruption trial kicked off with a Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) marriage registrar confirming the duo’s married status.
First prosecution witness, Jawi Marriage and Family Development assistant director Mohd Abd Nasir Abdullah, testified that Bung, 60, and Zizie, 41, got married on June 9, 2010.
Nasir was confirming the authenticity of the marriage certificate, issued under the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984, which was referred to him by DPP Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry during examination-in-chief today.
During the course of the trial this morning, counsel M Athimulan and K Kumaraendran, who acted for Bung and Zizie respectively, informed judge Rozina Ayob that the defence will not subject the witness to any cross-examination.
Nasir confirmed that Zizie’s elder brother Samzy Fuzette Abd Samad, 57, acted as the “wali” (Islamic legal guardian) in the marriage between the duo and that the marriage was witnessed by Shari Ahmad, 63, and Ahmad Shahazami Abd Samad, 57.
Nasir certified the validity of the signature on the marriage certificate, which bore the signature of Jawi Marriage, Divorce and Ruju’ (Ruju’ refers to a situation where a husband wished to take back his wife following divorce) registrar Mohd Zainudin Wan Yusoff.
The witness also confirmed the accused duo’s marriage by affirming the authenticity of a copy of a Syariah High Court Order in relation to their marriage, which was issued on June 28, 2010.
Meanwhile, earlier during today’s proceedings, Fadhly sought for amended charges to be read to Bung and Zizie, to which the duo’s counsels raised no objection.
The only amendment in the charges was to substitute the word “upah” (reward) to “dorongan” (inducement) in relation to Bung’s alleged purpose for receiving the total RM2.8 million in bribes. Zizie was charged with abetting her husband to obtain said bribes.
After the amended charges were read out to the duo, Bung and Zizie, who wore matching pastel pink tops under their dark blazers, indicated they understood the amended charges and maintained their non-guilty plea.
The charges against Bung were framed under Subsection 17(a) of the MACC Act and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act which provides for imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Zizie’s three counts of abetting her husband under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act is punishable under subsection 24(1) of the Act with imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The trial will resume before Rozina at 9am tomorrow with the testimony of the second prosecution witness Azlan Yusof, who is a member of Felcra’s board of directors.