Rizal Mansor’s graft case to be heard in High Court
KUALA LUMPUR: The graft case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s former aide, Datuk Rizal Mansor, who was charged with soliciting and accepting RM5.5 million in bribes involving a hybrid solar project for rural schools in Sarawak, will be heard in the High Court.
In the re-mention of the case before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob yesterday, lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri, who represented Rizal, said the defence had filed an application to transfer the case to the High Court on Dec 5.
The defence also filed an affidavit for the application and case management before the High Court deputy registrar was set for yesterday.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said his team would not file an affidavit or object to the application.
The court then set Jan 10 for re-mention of the case.
On Nov 15, Rizal pleaded not guilty to four charges of soliciting and receiving bribes amounting to RM218 million on behalf of Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and himself.
On 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 and the maintenance and operation of the generator sets and diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion, via direct negotiation with the Education Ministry.
On the second charge, Rizal was accused of soliciting RM25 million for himself from the same person to ensure that Rosmah would assist the company with obtaining the project.
The offence was allegedly committed in Lygon Cafe, G-24, Ground Floor, Sunway Putra Mall, 100, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit, between March and April 2016.
On the third charge, he was accused of receiving RM5 million on behalf of Rosmah from the same person as a reward for Rosmah for assisting Jepak Holdings obtain the project through direct negotiations 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 in No 1, Laman Damai Sari, Jalan 1/16, Bukit Segambut, on Dec 23, 2016.
The offence falls under Section 16(a)(A) of the 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.