Tempers flare during Rosmah's trial as Mahdzir declares 'I'm not stupid'

KUALA LUMPUR: Tempers were flying high as Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's defence team continued to grill prosecution witness Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (pic) on day five of the former prime minister's wife's corruption trial at the High Court on Wednesday (Feb 12).

Lead counsel Datuk Jagjit Singh continued with the defence's allegation that Mahdzir was inconsistent with his statements in court.

Jagjit, during cross-examination, pointed out that Mahdzir in his witness statement claimed that he did not entertain Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Shamsul and his business partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

However, Jagjit said Mahdzir still instructed his officers in the Education Ministry he helmed to prepare an application for interim payment to Jepak Holdings, to be signed by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The letter, the court was told, asked for an exemption of several documents from being submitted to allow the ministry to make an interim payment to Jepak Holdings.

This letter, Jagjit argued, showed that Mahdzir had assisted Saidi and Rayyan by handing the letter personally to Najib.

Mahdzir denied this, claiming that he was not assisting Saidi and Rayyan as the letter was not prepared by him but by ministry officers.

Mahdzir added that this was a project by the Education Ministry, not his.

Jagjit: This was a letter which you signed?

Mahdzir: Yes, but I don't know how much (is the interim payment). Ministry's officers are the ones preparing the letter.

Jagjit: You knew because you had already received corrupt monies.

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Jagjit: You knew everything.

Mahdzir: I'm not stupid. I'm not stupid.

Jagjit: Don't act stupid.

Earlier, Jagjit also told Mahdzir that he could continue with the cross-examination until "death", an exchange that started in a heated tone but ended in laughter.

Jagjit: You are not consistent.

Mahdzir: From the very beginning, you wanted me to be like that.

Jagjit: Until death also I can continue to do this (cross-examination).

"Do not be like that," replied Mahdzir, prompting laughter from court.

The trial continues before High Court judge Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan on Thursday (Feb 13). -Star