KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno leadership respects the legal process and continues to support its chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, following the Court of Appeal's decision in Putrajaya yesterday.

In a statement, Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir clarified that Bung Moktar has not been convicted, but is merely required to defend himself to complete the legal process.

"We respect the legal process and express our support for Bung Moktar while upholding the principles of the rule of law.

"The Court of Appeal ruled that the process is 'premature' and requires further deliberation," he said.

The Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the corruption case involving Bung Moktar and his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, to be returned to the Sessions Court for trial.

This follows the earlier High Court acquittal of charges related to a RM2.8 million bribery case tied to a RM150 million Felcra investment in Public Mutual Bhd unit trusts.

The couple must now present their defence.

The ruling was made by a three-judge panel led by Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, alongside Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, who allowed the prosecution's appeal against the High Court decision.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/11/1136610/sabah-umno-maintains-support-bung-moktar