‘MOE didn't file police report after Jepak tampered with solar panel deal’

ROSMAH TRIAL | The Education Ministry did not file a police report after it discovered that a company had tampered with a government contract to provide solar panels to schools, the court heard today.

The ministry's former secretary-general Alias Ahmad told this to the Kuala Lumpur High Court while being cross-examined by the defence in Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial.

Rosmah's lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader said a Public Works Department engineer had discovered that the bound version of the solar panel project contract provided by Jepak Holdings contained several alterations.

The tampering includes on the scope of work, the condition of contract for design and build, and special provision of maintenance among others.

Akberdin said two letters had been sent by the Education Ministry to Jepak Holdings demanding an explanation on Sept 2017 and Jan 2018.

When questioned about what action had been taken, Alias said a series of meetings had been called on March 14, 2018, by then education minister Mahdzir Khalid.

Alias said during one meeting session that day, Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin had admitted there was tampering but blamed it on a staff member.

The Education Ministry eventually decided on three measures that needed to be taken, namely conducting an internal investigation, amending the contract, and lodging a police report.

However, Alias said up until his retirement on May 22, 2018, none of these measures was acted on.

When grilled about why a police report was not lodged, he said it may be because the MACC was looking into the matter.

Akberdin, however, posited that the police report was not lodged Alias and Mahdzir were actually in cahoots with Saidi, a charge that the former secretary-general denied.

Akberdin: You and the education minister (Mahdzir) are colluding with Jepak, that's why you let them go, didn't listen to the (ministry) legal advisor, a senior federal counsel.

Alias: I disagree.

The defence lawyer then tried to establish that Alias and Saidi had had a personal relationship and produced two pictures of Alias and Saidi at a wedding reception together. 

One photo was of Alias and Saidi and the other was of Saidi embracing Mahdzir, with Alias in the background.

Akberdin said this was the wedding of Saidi's child.

However, Alias corrected him and said it was his child's wedding reception that Saidi attended.

He also said Saidi was not invited to the event but had come together with Mahdzir.

After the lunch break, Akberdin questioned why Saidi would be greeting Mahdzir with a hug if they had come together.

Alias then clarified that Saidi may have been invited by his personal assistant based on his phone contacts.

Akberdin rubbished this and accused Alias of lying to the court. 

Previously, Alias had told the court in March that he did not know Saidi.

During the re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, the former secretary-general explained that his social encounters with Saidi only occurred after the government had entered into a contract with Jepak Holdings.

He explained that it was the government's policy to treat those they were in contract with as partners.

However, Alias told the court he did not benefit in any way from the ministry doing business with Jepak Holdings, nor did he have any personal interests in the contract. 

Rosmah is facing three charges pertaining to the alleged misappropriation of funds for the supply and installation of solar energy at 369 rural schools in Sarawak for the Education Ministry.

The project was valued at RM1.25 billion and awarded to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd through direct negotiation.

The trial is back in court for the first time today after previous dates were postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.  - Mkini