Former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s wife Rosmah Mansor made her second appearance at the Kuala Lumpur court complex this afternoon to face fresh charges at the Sessions Court.
Also charged was her aide Rizal Mansor whom prior to the May 9 general election had been at the forefront to defend Rosmah against her critics.
The prosecution accused Rosmah of soliciting RM187.5 million from a company in exchange for her assistance in securing an RM1.25 billion government contract.
According to the charge sheets, she and Rizal attempted to solicit the sum sometime between March and April 2016 from Saidi Abang Samsudin, the managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The offence allegedly took place at the Lygon Bistro, an upmarket Italian restaurant located opposite Umno’s main headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The charge sheet stated the RM187.5 million is equivalent to 15 percent of the total project value.
Prosecutors claimed Rosmah only received a fraction of the sum solicited.
Meanwhile, the charge sheet against Rizal stated that he received RM5 million on Rosmah’s behalf at the lobby of Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20, 2016.
According to the charge sheet against Rosmah, she received RM1.5 million from Saidi at her home at Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur on Sept 7, 2017, for the same reason.
In all, the charge sheet inferred that RM6.5 million in bribe was meant for Rosmah.
Prosecutors also charged Rizal for attempting to solicit RM25 million from Saidi for his services and eventually received RM500,000 for the same.
If found guilty, Rosmah and Rizal can be slapped with a maximum 20-year jail sentence and fined not less than five times the total amount of gratification, for each charge.
Both Rosmah and Rizal have claimed trial before separate judges. Prosecutors would eventually apply to have a joint trial.
The project in question – a solar power project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak – was awarded by the Education Ministry through direct negotiation. Jepak began works on the project on Jan 1 last year.
The education minister at the time was Mahdzir Khalid.
On Oct 4, Rosmah was charged with 17 counts of money laundering involving over RM7 million.
MKINI
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