Former finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz testified that minutes from then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin serve as instructions to take action, which require follow-up but do not constitute direct approvals. [1, 2, 3] Speaking at Muhyiddin's graft trial, Tengku Zafrul explained that while the minutes called for consideration and action, the prime minister lacked legal authority to approve procurement methods. He said, "The prime minister had no power to approve. Anyone can make a recommendation. Approval is a different matter." [2]

Tengku Zafrul noted that he generally acted on all minutes issued by Muhyiddin unless a minute explicitly stated it required no consideration. "Yes, if he minuted that it does not need consideration, of course, then we will not take it into consideration," he said. [1] He emphasized that the minutes often led to recommendations that could be accepted or rejected depending on context, but follow-up actions were necessary to keep government operations running smoothly. "Minutes from PM is minutes that we have to take action or else the government doesn't work, but to take action doesn't mean you take action that is not right," he added. [3]

Tengku Zafrul confirmed treating three specific examples of Muhyiddin's minutes under the Jana Wibawa programme as instructions to consider proposals. These included a November 13, 2020 letter recommending 54 contractors for 54 Jana Wibawa projects through direct negotiations, which was processed by the Finance Ministry following his instructions. [2, 3] He also cited minutes from February 3, 2021, approving a pre-qualified tender among five companies for the Pulau Indah highway project, and March 17, 2021, for the Klang Utara district police headquarters project, both under the same programme. [3]

On November 13, 2020, Muhyiddin issued a letter recommending 54 contractors be awarded Jana Wibawa projects through direct negotiation, a process acted on by the Finance Ministry following Tengku Zafrul’s instructions. [2, 3] Subsequently, on February 3 and March 17, 2021, Muhyiddin agreed to pre-qualified tenders involving five companies each for two infrastructure projects under Jana Wibawa. [3]

Tengku Zafrul testified as a prosecution witness over two days from July 7 to 8, 2026, explaining the meaning and implications of Muhyiddin’s minutes during the graft trial. [1, 2, 3]