Mahdzir shocked witness said he asked for kickback in solar project

Former Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid has denied a witness testimony that he had sought kickback amounting RM60 million from Jepak Holdings in relation to a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for rural schools.

Mahdzir said the testimony by Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah during the trial against former prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor was “shocking” and an attempt to smear his reputation.

“I am shocked by this statement by Rayyan. I have already denied these accusations when I testified for the same case before this.

“Sincerely, I can share that I am aggrieved by the articles I read (on Rayyan’s testimony). It looks like an attempt to smear my image and reputation among the people.

“This has also left a bad impact on the work that I have been entrusted to do,” said Mahdzir, who is now Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairperson.

Mahdzir said he is seeking legal advice on the matter and urged the public and media professionals not to “make assumptions based on limited sources” of information.

Rayyan, who is Jepak Holdings’ former business partner, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday that Mahdzir had initially sought 20 percent of the overall project value from Jepak Holdings.

Rayyan said Mahdzir had sought the kickback via his “friend”, Md Fuad Yassin.

On Nov 5, 2018, it was reported that the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission was seeking Md Fuad, 54, to assist in a probe into the case involving the supply of diesel and solar panel installation at 369 schools in Sarawak.

Rosmah’s lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader during cross-examination yesterday asked Rayyan if Jepak Holdings’ managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin had rejected the 20 percent proposal as it was too high and negotiated it down to RM60 million over five years or RM1 million a month.

“True,” Rayyan said in response.

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

Rosmah faces one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two charges of receiving a bribe of RM6.5 million from Saidi as a reward for helping the company secure the RM1.25 billion project obtained through direct negotiations with the ministry. - Mkini