KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): All three graft charges against the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin have been dropped following his demise last month.
However, the prosecution will continue its case against his widow, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad granted a discharge and acquittal in the case involving RM2.8 million alleged introduction fee linked to a Felcra Bhd investment.
Earlier on Friday, deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How informed the court of the decision that given the former Kinabatangan parliamentarian's passing on Dec 5 last year, the prosecution no longer wished to continue the case against him.
The 66 year-old passed away days after retaining the Lamag state assembly seat in the recent Sabah election.
Bung who was then the non-executive chairman of Felcra, was charged in May 2019 with accepting bribes of RM2.2 million and RM262,500 from a Public Mutual investment agent and RM337,500 from Unit Amanah consultant through his now widow, Zizie.
The monies were allegedly a gratification to obtain Felcra’s approval to make a RM150 million investment in the Public Mutual unit trust.
Charges to continue against widow
Zizie faces three abetment charges for the offences committed in 2015.
Following Bung's demise, Zizie had sent a letter of representation to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to drop the charges.
Updating the court on this, Law said that the AGC had rejected the representation and they intend to continue to case against Zizie.
Bung and Zizie were called to enter their defence in September 2022. Following numerous postponements due to pending applications, the duo's defence finally began in September last year with Bung taking the stand.
The case is set to continue on March 5, 6 and 12.
Lawyer Ashok Athimulan appeared for Bung and Teh See Khoon appeared for Zizie on Friday.