KUALA LUMPUR – Public support for Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor appears to be lacking as only about 10 supporters showed up at the court complex here this morning.
Rosmah, who arrived at the courthouse around 8.55am, is set to know her fate in the graft case involving the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project.
Some 10 supporters were spotted outside the court’s main gates prior to her arrival, but appeared to have diminished by 11.20am.
However, one supporter told reporters that she was none too happy about the crowd control measures implemented at the court building today.
“See for yourself the attitude of our national judicial administration. They won’t even allow us to enter (the court compound),” said Radiah Rashid, 63, as she waited for Rosmah along with other supporters.
She added that members of the public being restricted from entering the building is at odds with the government’s support of freedom of speech, saying: “That (freedom of speech) is just bullshit.”
“We are not afraid, we are already disappointed in the judicial system,” she said, referring to the Federal Court’s decision to uphold the guilty verdict for Rosmah’s husband, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
On August 23, Najib became the first former Malaysian prime minister to serve jail time after the Federal Court upheld his conviction on all seven charges in his SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption trial.
In addition to his 12-year sentence, the Federal Court also upheld the RM210 million fine imposed on Najib.
“Najib was hoping to be treated fairly but he didn't even get that. How can we trust our judges and the system?” asked Radiah.
When asked about why she had shown up to support Rosmah today, she said she was there to uphold truth and justice.
She added that the group was expecting more supporters to show up throughout the day.
Rosmah, 70, is charged with 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
