Muhyiddin's Trial: Bumiputera Director Stands Firm Amidst Allegations of Hidden Shareholder

As the trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin continues, a key witness has taken the stand, denying allegations that she was merely a nominee for a man accused of secretly owning 30% of a Bumiputera contractor. Aliza Abd Malek, the director of Nepturis Sdn Bhd, claims to have earned a monthly income of RM12,500, despite being questioned about her role in the company.

Background & Context

The trial centers around the Jana Wibawa program, a government initiative aimed at promoting Bumiputera contractors. Nepturis Sdn Bhd, a company led by Aliza Abd Malek, has been implicated in the trial due to its alleged ties with Muhyiddin's party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. A previous witness had revealed that Nepturis had paid RM1 million to the party via a cheque, although Aliza Abd Malek was not questioned about this sum during her testimony. The Jana Wibawa program has been scrutinized for its potential abuse of power and money laundering.

Key Details

Aliza Abd Malek testified that she had a monthly salary of RM4,000 when she worked as a senior procurement executive at Nepturis. However, her total monthly income increased to RM12,500 (RM6,500 basic pay and RM6,000 allowances) after she was appointed as the company's director and shareholder in 2018. According to Aliza, the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) records only show her and Mohd Rizman Akum Khan's names as the directors and shareholders of Nepturis. However, she claimed that they had a verbal understanding with Lian Tan Chuan (TC Lian) to split the shares among the three of them. Although Lian's name is not in the official records as a shareholder or director of Nepturis, Aliza insisted that he actually has a 30% share in the company and its profits. Muhyiddin's lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, suggested that Aliza was not really a director of Nepturis, pointing out that the company had a paid-up capital of RM7 million and was involved in many projects while she only had a RM12,500 monthly income and a maximum two-month annual bonus. Amer proposed that Aliza was merely a nominee for TC Lian, but she disagreed. When Amer suggested that Aliza's salary hike and bonus were a "reward" for allowing her name to be used as Nepturis' director and shareholder, Aliza replied that she saw it as a "rezeki" (blessing). Amer continued to suggest that this was in return for Lian using Aliza's name as the company's director and shareholder, but Aliza denied this. She claimed that Lian had given her and Rizman a chance to progress forward, and that he had injected capital and taught them strategies.

What Experts Say

The trial has raised questions about the potential abuse of power and money laundering in the Jana Wibawa program. Experts have noted that the program's lack of transparency and oversight has created an environment conducive to corruption. The trial has also highlighted the need for stricter regulations and accountability measures to prevent such abuses in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Aliza Abd Malek, the director of Nepturis Sdn Bhd, denies allegations that she was a nominee for TC Lian, who is accused of secretly owning 30% of the company.
• The trial has raised questions about the potential abuse of power and money laundering in the Jana Wibawa program.
• Experts have noted that the program's lack of transparency and oversight has created an environment conducive to corruption.
• The trial has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and accountability measures to prevent such abuses in the future.

What This Means For You

The trial of Muhyiddin and the implications of the Jana Wibawa program have significant real-world consequences for everyday Malaysians. The potential abuse of power and money laundering in the program has raised concerns about the integrity of government initiatives and the need for stricter regulations. As citizens, it is essential to stay informed and demand transparency and accountability from our leaders. By doing so, we can ensure that our government initiatives are fair, effective, and beneficial to all Malaysians.