Tengku Zafrul Details Muhyiddin Yassin's Role in Jana Wibawa Court Testimony
Former Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul testified in court regarding the Jana Wibawa program, describing notations by former PM Muhyiddin Yassin as directives. He denied any personal financial gain and explained the program's role in supporting contractors during the pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Tengku Zafrul testified that notations by former PM Muhyiddin Yassin were treated as directives.
- The witness denied receiving any personal financial gain or rewards from the Jana Wibawa program.
- The program was intended to assist Bumiputera contractors struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Muhyiddin Yassin faces multiple charges related to misuse of position and money laundering.
Former Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz recently provided testimony at the High Court regarding the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. The testimony centered on the controversial Jana Wibawa program, which was designed to assist Bumiputera contractors during the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the court session, Tengku Zafrul explained how he perceived certain notations made by Muhyiddin Yassin on official documents as directives. Specifically, he highlighted a letter dated February 3, 2021, concerning the construction of the North Klang District Police Headquarters. According to Tengku Zafrul, the note explicitly agreed to the procurement being conducted via pre-qualification.
Insights into the Jana Wibawa Program
Tengku Zafrul clarified that while the Ministry of Finance functioned as the implementing body for the technical evaluations and final appointments, the authority to determine procurement methods—such as direct negotiation or pre-qualification—rested with the Finance Minister. He firmly denied receiving any personal financial gain or rewards related to the Jana Wibawa projects during his tenure from March 2020 to August 2021.
The witness emphasized that he had no prior acquaintance with the owners of the companies listed in the documents provided by the former Prime Minister's office. He stated that these firms had never approached him directly to lobby for projects. Furthermore, Tengku Zafrul noted that he possessed no knowledge of these companies offering political contributions to any party.
Muhyiddin Yassin is currently facing multiple charges, including the misuse of his official position to obtain gratification totaling RM225.3 million for his political party, as well as charges related to money laundering. The defense of the program, as outlined by Tengku Zafrul, highlighted that the primary objective was to stimulate the construction sector and support Bumiputera contractors who were severely affected by the pandemic. The court proceedings remain ongoing, with further testimonies expected to provide additional clarity on the procedural aspects of the government's economic stimulus packages during that period.
