The wife of former prime minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to two counts of corruption under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
- First charge – soliciting RM187.5m bribe
- Second charge – accepting RM1.5m
- Facing up to 20 years’ jail and fine of not less than five times the value of gratification for each of the charges, if convicted
Rosmah, 66, was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million through her former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor, who is also her brother, and receiving RM1.5 million in bribe relating to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak.
Rosmah was said to have attempted to obtain RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin between March and April in 2016.
The amount was 15% of the value of the contract, said to be as an inducement to help the company obtain the project via direct negotiation from the education ministry.
Rosmah was also charged with receiving RM1.5 million in bribes from Saidi to assist him in obtaining the contract. The offence was allegedly committed on Sept 7 last year at her private residence in Taman Duta.
Both charges are offences under paragraph 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act and punishable under section 24(1) of the same Act.
If found guilty, Rosmah could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined not less than five times the value of gratification for each of the charges.
The prosecution asked for bail to be set at RM1 million and Rosmah’s counsel Geethan Ram agreed, but asked that it be paid in a staggered manner.
Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad allowed bail at RM1 million in one surety.
DPP Umar Saifuddun objected to staggered payment and asked the court to instruct Rosmah to settle the bail amount in one payment.
The judge ruled that RM500,000 be paid today, and the balance within seven days. He also fixed Dec 10 for mention of the case.
Rosmah was represented by K Kumaraendran and Geethan Ram Vincent.
She was charged alone and not jointly with Rizal.
Rosmah was accompanied to the court complex by her husband.
The couple stepped out of a black Proton Perdana at 2.05pm, with Najib leading his wife in and smiling at reporters and photographers.
Rosmah, wearing a blue-and-yellow baju kurung with a matching shawl, also smiled as she entered, taking the time to greet some Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) personnel on the way in.
The couple’s son Norashman was also in court.
Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, former minister Shahidan Kassim, Umno lawmakers Reezal Merican and Hamzah Zainuddin were also present to lend their support.
