The defence lawyers in Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial posited that ex-education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid is the corrupt one in the awarding of the RM1.25 billion project to Jepak Holdings.
Rosmah’s lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh proposed that the real team working behind the scenes was not Saidi and his partner Rayyan Radzwil Abdullah and Rosmah’s personal aide Datuk Rizal Mansor known as “Team Saidi” but was Mahdzir and his cohorts and dubbed them “Team Mahdzir”.
Jagjit: I put it to you that you demanded 20 per cent of the project cost from Saidi. Do you agree?
Mahdzir: I disagree.
Jagjit: After discussion with Saidi he agreed to pay you RM1 million for a period of five years. You agree?
Mahdzir: No, I don’t.
Jagjit: I believe you’re lying to the Court and you cooperated with the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to try to avoid conviction.
Mahdzir: I disagree.
Jagjit then hurled accusations at Mahdzir, claiming the real team that’s working to get the RM1.25 billion project was not “Team Saidi” as mentioned previously, but in fact, Mahdzir was the mastermind behind the entire scheme.
Jagjit said Mahdzir had not once contacted Rosmah in person to check if any of the orders passed on to him from Rizal Mansor or Saidi or Rayyan actually came from Rosmah herself.
He also pointed out that the only time Mahdzir had direct contact with Rosmah regarding this matter was when they met at a buka puasa event in 2016 to which Mahdzir agreed.
Jagjit: In light of the evidence I put it to you that this sentence of yours “Rosmah told me ‘tengoklah project solar tu’ is a fabrication? It’s a lie, agreed?
Mahdzir: Disagreed.
Jagjit: Then can you explain to our Lordship why on one hand you said team Saidi and Rosmah were involved in this project whereas yesterday you said Rosmah had abruptly denied knowing the individual named Rayyan and that she had claimed to only be assisting “Cikgu Aazmey” in the matter? It makes no sense.
Mahdzir: I disagree.
Jagjit: I have to put it to you that your evidence is “touch and go” at this point. First it was Rizal who was in charge, then Rayyan, then Saidi then back to Cikgu Aazmey. It’s a bit touch and go.
Mahdzir: I disagree. I disagree. I follow the rules.
Cikgu Aazmey refers to Pekan Umno secretary, Datuk Aazmey Abu Talib, who was involved in helping expedite the granting of the solar hybrid project and was also part of the alleged “Team Saidi”. – MMO