KUALA LUMPUR – The defence in Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s corruption case in relation to a solar hybrid project for Sarawak rural schools said it will prove that she has been used as a scapegoat, and that the real mastermind is her former aid Datuk Rizal Mansor.
Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, representing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s wife, when reading out his opening statement at the high court today said the charges against his client are selective prosecution made in bad faith and with mala fide.
“It is because the individual responsible and the mastermind in the case, who solicited and received money as stated in the three charges, was Rizal.
“The action of the prosecution to withdraw all the charges against Rizal and then select him as the 21st prosecution witness clearly shows that a deal has been made with Rizal... and he as the crown witness had to give false evidence in court to trap and link my client to the three charges.”
He was speaking on the first day of defence proceedings over the three corruption charges involving the RM1.25 billion project for 369 schools.
Akberdin said if Rizal did not cooperate with the prosecution to accuse Rosmah using false evidence, the prosecution would continue to prosecute him on new charges.
On February 18, the high court ordered Rosmah to enter her defence on the three charges after finding that the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case against her.
Akberdin said Rosmah was also made a scapegoat by incompetent quarters in the government then, especially the Education Ministry, and those who conspired with Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.
"My client has said there were other parties who used her name for personal and political interests.
“Before Rosmah was charged, there was no report from any party, especially Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin and businessman Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah, made with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on the accused accepting or soliciting bribes.”
He said Rosmah does not know Saidi or Rayyan personally, and that her meeting with them was arranged by Rizal.
“Rosmah was never involved in soliciting a RM187.5 million bribe, which is 15% of the contract value from Saidi, either personally or through Rizal.
“She had no knowledge that Rizal asked for a bribe from Saidi of 10%, 12% or 15% at Lygon Café at Sunway Putra Mall,” he said, adding that she also never received a RM6.5 million bribe from Saidi to help Jepak Holdings secure the project through direct negotiations.
Akberdin said Rosmah was not initially aware of the meeting with Saidi and Rayyan at her house in Jalan Langgak Duta on September 7, 2017 as she did not ask Rizal to arrange it.
“The meeting lasted less than five minutes. Rosmah was in sports gear, and was breathing heavily after exercising. This showed that the meeting happened spontaneously; unplanned and sudden.”
Akberdin said his client also denies an allegation that she received two bags containing RM5 million at Seri Perdana on December 20, 2016.
“In fact, it is all Rizal’s fabrication and agenda to frame my client to save himself.”
Rosmah, 69, was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million, as well as two counts of receiving RM6.5 million in bribes, from Saidi through Rizal.
The monies are allegedly an inducement to help Jepak Holdings secure the solar project and the genset/diesel maintenance and operation for the said schools through direct negotiations with the Education Ministry.
The offences were allegedly committed at Lygon Café at Sunway Putra Mall in Jalan Putra here; her residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta; and, Seri Perdana in Presint 10, Putrajaya, between January 2016 and September 2017.
The charges are framed under Section 6(a)(A) of the MACC Act and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than fives times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Rosmah, clad in a pink baju kurung and matching shawl, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta at 9.56am with several aides. – Bernama, October 5, 2021
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