Director created Bumiputera firm for projects, denies deception

A company director told the High Court that he created Nepturis Sdn Bhd specifically to help him secure government projects reserved for Bumiputera companies. Lian Tan Chuan, director of Metrasys Sdn Bhd, testified that his intention was not to defraud the Ministry of Finance or the government.

Chuan explained that his company, Metrasys, which he and his wife direct, was not used to apply for government projects because such applications would likely be rejected. He stated that opportunities for non-Bumiputera companies were scarce, with most available projects designated for Bumiputera firms. He added that he wanted to maintain Metrasys for himself and his wife, while establishing Nepturis for Bumiputera-specific ventures.

He further clarified that according to CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) regulations, his name could not appear in two companies simultaneously if he wanted Nepturis to achieve the G7 contractor status, which is a Bumiputera-specific classification. Previously, Nepturis director Aliza Abd Malek testified that although she and another director, Mohd Rizman Akum Khan, were listed as directors with equal shareholdings, Tan Chuan held a 30 percent stake in Nepturis.

When questioned by the defense counsel about why he never disclosed his shareholding in Nepturis, Tan Chuan responded, "Nobody ask." The prosecution also called Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad, Deputy Head of the Segambut Division of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), for identification by the witness. It is understood that Adam Radlan, a cousin of Datuk Seri Muhammed Adlan Berhan (a son-in-law of Muhyiddin), will also testify. Previously, Tan Chuan had stated he used Adam Radlan's assistance to obtain supporting minutes from Muhyiddin for his company's project applications.

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Nobody ask