Partner paid me RM1 million in ‘consultant fees’ after landing solar project, says witness

Businessman Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

KUALA LUMPUR: A witness told the High Court in Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial today that his business partner paid him RM1 million in “consultant fees” after obtaining the solar panel project for schools in Sarawak.

Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah said Sarawakian businessman Saidi Abang Samsudin made the payment by cheque in August 2017.

“He told me that Jepak Holdings had received the first payment of RM63 million from the government one month earlier,” he said, referring to Saidi’s company.

“The RM1 million was my consultant fees for the work I did to help Saidi get the RM1.25 billion project.”

Rayyan said Saidi had also promised to pay him RM10 million for “consultant services” although the sum never materialised.

He told the court that in December 2016, he and Saidi delivered RM500,000 in cash to Rosmah’s aide at the time, Rizal Mansor.

“Saidi told me earlier that day that he delivered RM5 million in cash to Datin Seri through Rizal,” he said, adding that the money was a “contribution” for her help in getting Jepak Holdings the project.

“Saidi asked me to accompany him to Rizal’s house, saying he wanted to give Rizal a ‘present’.”

Rayyan said he only learnt that the “present” was in fact RM500,000 packed in a paper bag once they had left the house.

Rizal was initially slapped with four counts of corruption in relation to the solar project. However, the charges were withdrawn before the trial started in February.

Rayyan also told the court that on Sept 7, 2017 he had accompanied Saidi to Rosmah’s home in Langgak Duta to deliver two backpacks. Saidi’s driver Shamsul Rizal Sharbini was also present.

“Rizal took us to one of the living rooms, with green sofa covers. Shortly after that, I saw Shamsul walk into the living room carrying two backpacks.

“He left the backpacks beside one of the sofas and walked out,” Rayyan said.

After Shamsul left, he said, Rosmah entered the living room with Rizal who showed her where the backpacks were.

He said Saidi then addressed Rosmah, saying he was giving her “some money” now with more payments to be made as the project progressed.

“She only nodded in agreement and said ‘okay lah’. She did not look surprised at the money,” he added.

He said he had spoken to Rizal before September 2017, raising concerns about the RM5 million Saidi gave him for Rosmah.

“Rizal told me the ‘item’ was delivered to her,” he said.

The hearing continues before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

Rosmah was slapped with three counts of corruption for allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi as an inducement to help the company secure the project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth a total of RM1.25 billion through direct negotiation from the education ministry.

She was also accused of receiving bribes amounting to RM6.5 million from Saidi between 2016 and 2017. - FMT