Rosmah’s ex-aide claims trial to receiving RM218m in bribes

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Rizal Mansor, a former aide of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here yesterday to soliciting and receiving graft amounting to RM218 million on behalf of Rosmah and himself.

Rizal nodded in understanding when the charges were read out to him before judge Rozina Ayob.

“I plead not guilty and request trial,” said Rizal, 44.

In the first charge, he was accused of soliciting RM187.5 million on behalf of Rosmah from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.

According to the charge, the money was an inducement for Rosmah to help the company secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project, as well as the maintenance and operation of the genset/diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion via direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.

In the second charge, Rizal was accused of soliciting RM25 million for himself from the same person to ensure that Rosmah would help the company obtain the project.

The offence was allegedly committed at Lygon Café, G-24, Ground Floor, Sunway Putra Mall, 100, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit here between March and April 2016.

For the third charge, he was accused of receiving RM5 million on behalf of Rosmah from the same person as a reward for Rosmah for helping Jepak Holdings obtain the project through direct negotiation at Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd on Dec 20, 2016.

Rizal was also charged with receiving RM500,000 for himself from the same person as a reward for him in ensuring Rosmah assisted Jepak Holdings obtain the same project, at No. 1, Laman Damai Sari, Jalan 1/16, Bukit Segambut on Dec 23, 2016.

The offence falls under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the total value of the bribe.

Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar informed the court that both the prosecution and defence had agreed for a RM1 million bail with two sureties.

“However, we object for the bail to be paid in instalments.”

He also said the prosecution would file an application for the case to be jointly tried with Rosmah’s graft case as it (the case) is related to each other.

However, counsel Ridha Abdah Subri said his client had provided full cooperation to the anti-graft body in its investigation.

The court set bail at RM1 million with one surety and ordered half of it (RM500,000) to be paid yesterday, with the balance to be settled next week. The court fixed Nov 29 for mention.