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The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bung Moktar, wife's final bid fails
PUTRAJAYA: Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad failed in their final attempt to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision ordering them to enter their defence on three corruption charges involving RM2.8mil. As a result, Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette are scheduled to enter their defence on corruption charges before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad on Aug 18. A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, unanimously dismissed the couple's application yesterday stating that they had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances or a miscarriage of justice that would justify a review of the call for defence ruling. Justice Che Mohd Ruzima sat with Court of Appeal judges Justices Azizul Azmi Adnan and Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid. On Nov 18 last year, a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim allowed the prosecution's appeal and overturned the High Court's decision to acquit Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette, and ordered both to enter their defence. Justice Che Mohd Ruzima said the Court of Appeal has always exercised caution when invoking its power to review earlier decisions, as such a review, on the face of it, runs contrary to the principle of finality, Bernama reported. The judge said that when counsel for Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette submitted that there had been an injustice in the case, the court observed that the couple had an alternative remedy. 'The point raised before us can be canvassed in an appeal from the Sessions Court, should a conviction subsequently be recorded. 'We are of the view that the threshold requirements for leave to review the prior decision of this court have not been met. 'We are also of the view that this is a point that may validly be raised at the end of the defence case. 'For these reasons, we find that the threshold requirement for leave to review this court's previous decision has not been fulfilled. 'Therefore, this application is dismissed,' he said. In September 2022, the Sessions Court ordered the couple to enter their defence. The couple succeeded in overturning the ruling through revision applications they then filed at the High Court. This prompted the prosecution to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Bung Moktar, 65, who was then the non-executive chairman of Felcra Bhd, was charged on May 3, 2019, with two charges of accepting bribes of RM2.2mil and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra's approval for a RM150mil investment in Public Mutual unit trusts. He was alleged to have accepted the bribes from Public Mutual Bhd's investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid through Zizie Izette, 46, at Public Bank Taman Melawati Branch, Kuala Lumpur, between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015. Bung Moktar was also charged with receiving RM337,500 in cash from Unit Amanah consultant, Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, under the name of Zizie Izette for the same reason and place on June 19, 2015, while Zizie Izette was charged with three counts of abetting her husband over the matter at the same place, date and time. On April 9, this year, the Sessions Court allowed the couple's application to stay the defence proceedings pending the outcome of the review application.
![[UPDATED] Bung Moktar, wife fail in final bid to challenge corruption charges [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Bung Moktar, wife fail in final bid to challenge corruption charges [WATCH]
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abd Samad, failed in their final bid to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision ordering them to enter their defence on corruption charges amounting to RM2.8 million. This is after a three-judge Court of Appeal panel led by Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali unanimously dismissed the couple's leave application to review the decision today. The court said the appellants failed to meet the threshold of proving any exceptional circumstances or miscarriage of justice that would warrant a review of the earlier decision. On Nov 18 last year, the Court of Appeal ordered Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette to enter their defence on three corruption charges after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the couple's acquittal by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Sept 7, 2023. On Sept 2, 2022, Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob ruled that a prima facie case had been established against the accused at the close of the prosecution's case and ordered them to enter their defence on all three charges. On May 3, 2019, the Kinabatangan member of Parliament was charged with two counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to secure Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts. He was alleged to have accepted the bribes from Madhi, an investment agent with Public Mutual Bhd, through Zizie Izette at Public Bank's Taman Melawati branch here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015. Zizie Izette was charged with three counts of abetting her husband at the same location, date, and time.
Daily Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Bung, wife denied leave to review decision ordering them to enter defence
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025 By: V Anbalagan, FMT Text Size: Bung Moktar Radin and Zizie Izette Abdul Samad were ordered to enter their defence last November on charges of corruption and abetment over a RM150 million Felcra investment. PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has dismissed a leave application by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, for a review of another bench's ruling ordering them to enter their defence on charges of corruption. A three-member bench chaired by Justice Che Ruzima Ghazali said the threshold for a review of the earlier appeals court decision had not been met. 'The threshold for review is high, and as the apex court (for subordinate courts), we are cautious in exercising such power as it goes against the principle of finality. 'Such power can only be exercised in exceptional cases. Applicants must show there was injustice and that they have no alternative remedy,' he said. He said the applicants in this case had alternative remedies, as the points raised could be argued during an appeal in the High Court if the sessions court convicts them. Also hearing the application were Justices Azizul Azmi Adnan and Ahmad Kamal Shahid. Advertisement Sessions court judge Rosli Ahmad had fixed a nine-day hearing from Aug 18. The couple was ordered to enter their defence last November on charges of corruption and abetment over a RM150 million Felcra investment. A three-member Court of Appeal bench had overturned Bung and Zizie's acquittal by the High Court. Justice Zaini Mazlan, who delivered the decision, said the revision application the couple had filed in the High Court was improper as it was akin to an appeal. The couple filed an application in March seeking leave for review under Rule 105 of the Rules of the Court of Appeal 1994, contending that the previous bench lacked the jurisdiction to hear the prosecution's appeal. Bung, the non-executive chairman of Felcra at the time, is charged with two counts of receiving bribes of RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts. He is alleged to have accepted the bribes from Norhaili Madhi, a Public Mutual investment agent, through Zizie at Public Bank's Taman Melawati branch between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015. He is also charged with receiving a bribe of RM337,500 from Norhaili under Zizie's name at the same location on June 19, 2015. Zizie faces three charges of abetting Bung in the commission of the alleged offences. On Sept 2, 2022, the sessions court ordered the couple to enter their defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them. On Sept 7, 2023, the High Court, which heard a revision application brought under Section 323 of the Criminal Procedure Code, acquitted the duo. However, that decision was set aside on appeal. Lawyer M Athimulan appeared for Bung and K Kumaraendran for Zizie, while deputy public prosecutors Law Chin How and Fadhly Zamry represented the prosecution. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
RON 95 reform should move forward, say experts
PETALING JAYA: Despite concerns over slower global economic growth and impending US tariffs, economists say the government should proceed cautiously with the planned rollout of the RON95 targeted subsidy scheme. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the current slump in global oil prices offers a more favourable window for the implementation, but urged caution given broader uncertainties. 'Rolling out the RON95 targeted subsidy scheme while global oil prices are falling would be less burdensome and more palatable compared to implementing it during a price spike,' he said. However, Yeah warned that the government must also weigh the risks of a global downturn, the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump's policies, and the uncertain impact of US tariffs. Given these risks, he suggested that a temporary pause might be appropriate until there is greater clarity on the tariff situation and its potential economic effects. 'A brief delay will not only strengthen the government's fiscal position but more importantly, put the country in a better position to withstand future oil price shocks,' he said, adding that the risks of uncertainty currently outweigh the cost of a slight postponement. 'Should a delay occur, immediate execution must follow once conditions stabilise. As things stand, a June rollout could still proceed as planned.' Oil prices have fluctuated sharply, dropping below US$60 (RM262) per barrel in early April before climbing to around US$65 (RM285) mid-month – still lower than US$74 (RM324) in December 2024. According to the International Energy Agency, current benchmark crude oil prices are at their lowest levels in four years. In light of this, some quarters have urged the government to delay the subsidy rationalisation. Economist Dr Geoffrey Williams disagrees, saying any delay would undermine structural reforms in Malaysia's fiscal policy. 'If subsidy rationalisation involves raising pump prices, perhaps in line with market rates, then now is the best time to push ahead,' he said. Williams warned that delaying the move would send the wrong message about the government's commitment to reform. 'There is no need to delay. It would be a huge disappointment and a sign of policy failure,' he said, adding that Malaysia is well-positioned in its tariff negotiations with the United States. Similarly, Emir Research founder Dr Rais Hussin said there is no compelling reason to delay the RON95 rationalisation but acknowledged that agility is needed in its implementation. 'Falling global oil prices and a stronger ringgit should ease the fiscal burden, allowing the government to roll out targeted subsidies with minimal shock to consumers,' he said. Asked if a wait-and-see approach was appropriate, Rais said scenario planning is wise but ruled out a blanket postponement. 'A complete delay would send the wrong signal about policy commitment. Malaysia has already delayed targeted fuel subsidies for years. Clear communication is needed now to assure the public that targeting does not mean burdening the vulnerable,' he said. Instead, Rais proposed that the government prepare contingency measures, such as scaling up direct cash aid or adjusting eligibility criteria, if global economic conditions worsen after July. 'A wait-and-see approach should apply to adjusting the mechanism – not abandoning the principle,' he said.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Court grants Bung Moktar, wife's request to suspend defence proceedings against three corruption charges amounting to RM2.8m
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — The Sessions Court here today granted the request by Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad to suspend their defence proceedings against three corruption charges amounting to RM2.8 million. Judge Rosli Ahmad made the ruling after lawyer M. Athimulan informed the court that the prosecution did not object to the request, pending the outcome of the review application against the Court of Appeal's decision which had ordered the couple to enter their defence on the charges, national news agency Bernama reported today. 'Both parties have submitted their arguments, but we were informed by the prosecution this morning that they do not object to the suspension of these proceedings,' said Athimulan, who is handling the couple's case together with lawyer Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran. Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Law Chin How, who is handling the case with DPP Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry, said they received instructions this morning that they would not object to the request. 'The trial was scheduled for today, but given that the suspension order has been granted, we request that the trial date be set after the resolution of the review application. The Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal has set a case management for the review application on April 11 to set a hearing date,' he said. Judge Rosli then set new trial dates from August 18 to 20, September 2 to 4, and September 24 to 26, 2025. 'Accordingly, the previously scheduled trial dates, which were from April 9 to 11, April 14 and 15, as well as May 5 and 6, 2025, have been vacated,' he added. The Court of Appeal on November 18 last year ordered Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette to enter their defence on the three corruption charges, after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the couple's acquittal by the High Court on September 7, 2023. On September 2, 2022, Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob had ordered Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette to enter their defence on the three corruption charges, after ruling that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against them at the close of the prosecution's case. Bung Moktar, 65, who was then the non-executive chairman of Felcra Berhad, was charged on May 3, 2019, with two charges of receiving bribes amounting to RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual's unit trust. Bung Moktar is also accused of corruptly receiving for himself a bribe of RM337,500 in cash from Public Mutual Berhad investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid via Zizie Izette, 46, at Public Bank Berhad's Taman Melawati Branch here between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015. Bung Moktar is also accused of corruptly receiving another bribe, namely RM337,500 in cash, from another Public Mutual agent Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar via the Public Ittikal Sequel Fund (PITSEQ) account registered under Zizie Izette, for the same purpose.
