Ex-aide says Rosmah never solicited money for herself

Rosmah Mansor’s former special officer today told the High Court that the former prime minister’s wife had never solicited money for herself or directly sought money from then-managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, Saidi Abang Samsudin, regarding the solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak.

Rizal Mansor also agreed with Rosmah’s counsel Jagjit Singh that she had never directly sought money from Saidi’s business partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah relating to the project.

Rizal said he arranged the first meeting between Rosmah, Saidi and Rayyan at Rosmah’s house in Langgak Duta between January and February 2016 for the purpose of a political donation.

He also agreed that it was his duty to get Rosmah involved in the matter.

He told the court that Jepak intended to contribute to Najib as a token of appreciation for the minutes given by the former prime minister to the company, and to ensure Barisan Nasional’s victory in the next general election.

When asked if Saidi and Rayyan intended to contribute the money through Rosmah as they did not want to disturb Najib, Rizal said yes.

He also agreed with Jagjit that he had used the wrong choice of words in his witness statement, in which he said Saidi and Rayyan had offered the political donation through Rosmah, not to her.

He likewise agreed with Jagjit’s suggestion that he needed a lot of money as he had intended to contest for the post of Umno Youth chief in 2017.

“You agree that the money ought to assist you in your political ambition as Umno Youth chief was all corrupt money. You received corrupt money for this purpose,” said Jagjit, to which Rizal said yes.

Rizal also said he never told Rosmah about his intention to run for Umno Youth chief and agreed with Jagjit that he had done many things without her knowledge.

Rosmah was alleged to have received the bribes through Rizal as a reward for helping Jepak Holdings secure the hybrid photovoltaic solar system integrated project as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel gen-sets for 369 schools, worth RM1.25 billion, through direct negotiation from the education ministry.

The offences were allegedly committed at Lygon Cafe, Sunway Putra Mall, Jalan Putra; Rosmah’s residence at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta and at Seri Perdana, Persiaran Seri Perdana, Precinct 10, Putrajaya between January 2016 and September 2017.

The hearing continues tomorrow before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.