Former actress Datin Seri Zizie Izette A. Samad has been cleared of allegations that she helped her late husband, former Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, obtain RM2.8 million in alleged bribes.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad said Zizie was a credible witness, and her testimony matched the evidence presented during the trial. The court found that she had no knowledge of Felcra Berhad’s RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trust products and was not involved in her husband’s official duties as Felcra’s former non-executive chairman.
Bung Moktar passed away on Dec 5 last year.
Court decision: Zizie’s testimony found reliable
In his written judgment, Rosli said the defence relied on testimonies from Zizie, Bung Moktar, and former Felcra group chief financial officer Mohd Azmy Abu Samad. The judge said Zizie’s role was limited to introducing Public Mutual representatives Madhi Abdul Hamid and Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar to Bung Moktar and Azmy. He said the introduction fee received by Zizie from the agents was given voluntarily and there was no evidence that she expected the payment or informed Bung Moktar about it.
“The accused did not interfere in the deceased’s official duties or financial affairs and had no knowledge of Felcra Berhad’s investment in Public Mutual unit trust products,” Rosli said.
No evidence Zizie was involved in Felcra deal
Zizie had denied helping Bung Moktar obtain bribes or assisting him in securing approval for Felcra’s RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trust products. She also told the court that she never discussed Felcra matters with her husband.
Rosli said her testimony was consistent, reasonable, and supported by documents and evidence from other witnesses.
The judge added that Bung Moktar had testified that he never discussed Felcra’s official matters with Zizie and had no knowledge of the money she received from the Public Mutual representatives.
Bung Moktar’s acquittal affected abetment charge
Following the prosecution’s application for a discharge and acquittal of Bung Moktar, the court ruled that he was considered innocent as no conviction had been recorded against him. Rosli said the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Bung Moktar had committed the corruption offence, which was a key element needed to establish the abetment charge against Zizie.
As a result, the court found that the prosecution also failed to prove its case against Zizie.
Prosecution considering appeal
Zizie was represented by Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran, Datuk M. Athimulan, Ridha Abdah Subri, and Teh See Khoon.
Deputy public prosecutors Law Chin How and Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry appeared for the prosecution.
After the proceedings, Fadhly said the prosecution would wait for the Attorney-General’s decision on whether to file an appeal.
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