[LIVE] I’m the victim: Rosmah gets 10 years in jail, RM970 mil fine

KUALA LUMPUR – The high court here today has found Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to be guilty on all three counts of corruption in relation to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak.

In delivering his verdict, judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said the defence has failed to raise reasonable doubt to rebut the prosecution’s case.

With this, she is the first among the wives of former prime ministers to face prison time.

In her mitigation, lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh said Rosmah is a victim of circumstances and name-dropping.

He reiterated that Rosmah’s former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor, who turned into the star prosecution witness, is the real culprit.

“Rosmah also has an ‘unblemished’ reputation being the wife of a former prime minister and she is also responsible for the Permata Negara programme, an initiative meant to boost early childhood education.”

“She doesn’t deserve to be here. The person that deserves to be here is the most corrupt education minister,” said Jagjit, referring to Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid who was also a prosecution witness.

When it was her turn to speak, Rosmah was emotionally distraught and in tears, recalling her services to society via Permata and her involvement with programmes to help the poor, the disabled, and at-risk children.

“I must admit I am very sad about what has happened. I have never solicited any money.”

“It really took me by surprise how things can twist and turn, and make (me) a victim. Every time I open my mouth, my husband would always say ‘Rosmah, you are just my wife, don’t interfere.’

“It can happen to me now, it can happen to all of you. I’m a victim in all of this.”

“You have done this to my husband and my family has suffered. I’m just a woman who just taking over a man’s role in the house.”

After she spoke, Jagjit pleaded to the court to only impose a one-day imprisonment for all three charges.

In rebuttal, senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram disagreed with Jagjit’s suggestion that Rosmah be sentenced to a one-day jail term as that would send the wrong message to the public.

“The purpose of sentencing is to send a message and stop them dead in their tracks as corruption is the vilest disease that can attack society.

“Placing one-day imprisonment will send the wrong message to the public whom we all served. We would suggest a maximum or near-maximum sentence due to the size of the gratification.”

Sri Ram said Rosmah should pay a fine of RM970 million for all three charges in total and if she defaults, she should be imprisoned for 10 years to run consecutively to a 20-year or near maximum sentence.

However, Jagjit disagrees with the prosecution, saying: “The accused has never been employed, never received salary but rendered her services voluntarily. I’m not sure how is she going to raise the money.”

He added that the court is not “shylocks who want every drop of blood”.

After a short break to decide on sentencing, Zaini handed Rosmah a 10-year jail term for each charge and to run concurrently, as well as a fine of RM970 million.

He added that if she defaults on her fine payment, she will have to serve 10 years in prison to run consecutively.

He granted Rosmah a stay of execution until her appeal is disposed of at the higher courts.

Rosmah’s bail of RM2 million is also extended until the disposal of the appeal.

Rosmah, 70, is charged with one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd’s former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former special officer Datuk Rizal Mansor.

The kickbacks were allegedly an inducement to help the company Jepak Holdings secure the hybrid photovoltaic solar system integrated project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion. – The Vibes, September 1, 2022