Rosmah claims trial to receiving RM189m bribe
> Graft relates to RM1.25b solar project for rural Sarawak schools
KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pix) has claimed trial to soliciting and receiving a bribe of RM189 million relating to the RM1.25 billion solar project for rural schools in Sarawak.
The two charges were read to her before sessions court judge Azman Ahmad.
On the first count, she was charged with dishonestly soliciting for herself, through Rizal Mansor, 44, gratification of RM187,500,000 (15% of the project value) from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
She allegedly committed the offence at Lygon Cafe’, G-24, Sunway Putra Mall at No. 100, Jalan Putra here between March and April 2016.
On the second count, Rosmah was charged with dishonestly receiving for herself RM1,500,000 from Saidi for the same purpose at No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta on Sept 7, 2017.
She was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, and faces imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the gratification amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar, while the defence team was led by Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent.
Both charges are offences under Section 16(a)(A) of the Act, punishable under Section 24(1). The judge set bail at RM1 million in one surety.
He also allowed the amount to be paid in two instalments, with RM500,000 to be paid yesterday and the balance within seven days.
In another sessions court, Rosmah’s former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor also pleaded not guilty to allegedly soliciting RM212.5 million and receiving RM5.5 million in bribes on behalf of Rosmah and himself.
Rizal’s first charge was for securing RM187.5 million from Saidi for Rosmah and RM25 million for himself to ensure the company was awarded the project.
The third and fourth charges were for receiving RM5 million on behalf of Rosmah and RM500,000 for himself.
He allegedly received the money from Saidi between March and December 2016. Bail for Rizal was set at RM1 million. In the same court, Rosmah was charged, former Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor pleaded not guilty to two counts of receiving RM3 million for land deals involving Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). The money was allegedly paid to him by two property developers, one of whom was Datuk Tan Eng Boon.
Tengku Adnan, also known as Ku Nan, allegedly received RM1 million from Tan via a cheque belonging to Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd that was deposited into his personal bank account.
The payment was allegedly to ensure approval of an application by Tan’s company, Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd), in relation to development of a parcel of land in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Putra World Trade Centre CIMB bank branch.
On the second count, Ku Nan was charged with receiving from businessman Cai Kin Kong, a RM2 million cheque issued by Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd despite having knowledge that the company had dealings with his ministry.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Pusat Bandar Damansara CIMB branch bank on June 14, 2016.
The first charge was made under the MACC Act, with an alternative charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code, while the second charge was made under Section 165 of the Penal Code.
He faces imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.
Ummar Saifuddin led the prosecution while the defence team was led by Datuk Tan Hock Chuan.
The judge set bail at RM1 million in two sureties and ordered Tengku Adnan to surrender his passport.
Meanwhile, Tan was charged in a separate sessions court before Judge Azura Alwi for giving Ku Nan the RM1 million cheque.
Tan pleaded not guilty to the charge and the judge granted bail of RM700,000 in two sureties and set Dec 12 for mention.