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Rosmah’s bribe trial: Rosmah to know fate on Feb 18

February 10, 2021

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Rosmah Mansor will know her fate on February 18 – whether she will be acquitted or ordered to enter her defence – on a corruption charge of soliciting RM187.5 million for a solar project in rural schools in Sarawak.

High court judge Muhamed Zaini Mazlan fixed the date after hearing submissions from both prosecution and defence today.

Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsuddin as inducement to help the company secure a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi in 2016 and 2017.

She faces a maximum 20 years prison time and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification if convicted.

Jagjit Singh and Akberdin Abdul Kadir represented Rosmah while the prosecution was led by Gopal Sri Ram.

During the submissions, the defence argued that Rosmah had never solicited the bribes, which she allegedly received in the form of RM5 million at her Seri Perdana residence and RM1.5 million in two separate bags at the Langgak Duta residence.

Rosmah’s lead council Jagjit said that it was Saidi who offered RM6.5 million as a political donation to Najib in preparation for the general election.

This was after the arrangements were made by Saidi, his former business partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah and Rosmah’s former aide Rizal Mansor.

Jagjit said the funds, which were intended for Najib, were given through Rosmah.

Earlier, when the prosecution made their submission, Sri Ram said that there is evidence that the accused had instructed Rizal to solicit the bribe.

“There is a monotonous repetition throughout the defence submission that there is evidence that the accused did not solicit any money from prosecution witness 17 (referring to Saidi).

“The charge against the accused is not that she personally solicited the bribe in question. The prosecution’s case is that she did it through prosecution witness 21 (referring to Rizal).

“The defence has therefore addressed the wrong target. It is irrelevant that the accused did not solicit the bribe personally from PW 17.

“There is the evidence of PW 21 that the accused instructed him to solicit the bribe in question,” Sri Ram said. – TMI

Earlier reports:

Dec 31, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Fictitious Consultancy Agreement Masked Bribe Payment to Rosmah

Dec 30, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Defence Says No Proof to Show Rosmah Solicited, Received Bribes

Dec 11, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Prosecution Concludes Its Case

Oct 7, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 30

Oct 6, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 29

Oct 5, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 28

Sept 17, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 27

Sept 15, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 26

Sept 14, Rosmah’s Bribe Trial: Day 25