KUALA LUMPUR: Two former senior officers of Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) were acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here yesterday of a charge of falsifying bond certificates valued at US$5 billion (about RM18 billion) in 2000.Judge S M Komathy Suppiah held that the conduct of PUNB’s former chief executive officer Ahmadi @ Ahmad Zukni Johari, 69, and former secretary Mohamad Aminuddin Mohamed Zain, 53, in issuing the bond without the sanction of the board was foolish and abuse of authority but not criminal.
“I accept the testimonies of the first and second accused that they had no dishonest intention in the issuance of the bond and it was done for the singular purpose of raising funds for the benefit of PUNB,” she said.
She said the court rejected the prosecution’s submission that their defence was an afterthought or fabrication.
Ahmad Zukni and Mohamad Aminuddin were jointly charged with falsifying the documents on Oct 13, 2000 at Wisma UOA II, No. 21, Jalan Pinang, here.
During the trial, the court was told that both Ahmadi and Mohamad Aminuddin had travelled to London on business class to open a corporate account to facilitate the bond certificate transaction.
Komathy said Ahmadi had written a letter dated Dec 11, 2000, to the then prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on his frustration in getting the PUNB board’s approval for the issuance of bonds which were intended to raise funds for proposed four mega projects worth RM16 billion.
She pointed out that the crux of Ahmadi’s defence was that he did not go to the board for approval because they were conservative and complacent in their decisions.
“The bond was issued because he was confident and honestly believed that he would get the blessings and support of the PM to obtain the requisite approvals from the PUNB board and other relevant authorities at a later date.”
She said Ahmadi also told the court that he managed to make an appointment with Tun Dr Mahathir on Dec 29, 2000, to brief him on the bond but before he could not do so, he was hauled up by Bank Negara on Dec 22.
For Mohamad Aminuddin, Komathy said he had signed the bond on the instruction of Ahmadi because he was confident and believed that Ahmadi would be able to obtain the necessary approvals after his meeting with the prime minister.
Immediately after the decision, Ahmadi, who was very composed, told reporters: “Life must go on and I’m nearly going to be 70 now. I don’t mind to return to PUNB if there is an offer and continue to serve for the country.”
Mohamad Aminuddin said he was glad that his ordeal was finally over after almost 10 years and added that he was looking forward to starting his life all over again.
Ahmadi was represented by counsel Goik Kenzu and Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and Mohamad Aminuddin by T Suresh.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria appeared for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). — Bernama