Jepak MD signed RM50m 'consultancy fee' to secure Najib's support

ROSMAH TRIAL | Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd had offered Pekan Umno secretary Ahmad Aazmey Abu Talib RM50 million as a "consultancy fee" to help the company secure the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project, the High Court heard today.

During cross-examination by Rosmah Mansor's defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader, Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin said the offer of 4 percent from the total project value was made in an agreement signed with Aazmey on July 19, 2016.

"Simply put, you agreed to give (Aazmey) RM50 million and if the project was extended to the sixth year, there would be an additional 2 percent from the total cost of maintenance," said Akberdin, to which Saidi said, "yes".

Akberdin produced the agreement in court and Saidi confirmed it as genuine.

Saidi also agreed that he had made a series of payments to Aazmey throughout 2017 from the RM50 million figure, although he claimed to not recall exact amounts paid on each occasion.

"If I check my transaction records then I might remember," he said.

Akberdin, among others, suggested that Saidi had made an initial cash payment of RM450,000 to Aazmey at a hotel in Kuantan; RM500,000 paid at Sunway Putra Mall; and RM250,000 at a coffee house in a Kuala Lumpur hotel.

Akberdin further asked if the amounts were progressive payments from the agreement signed, but Saidi described some amounts as "flood relief efforts".

He earlier put to the witness that Aazmey had played a key role to help Jepak obtain the contract by securing 11 "minutes" of support notes and cover letters from then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Akberdin said this included Najib's recommendations for Jepak to be awarded the project through direct negotiations and for the Education Ministry to issue them with the letter of award (LOA).

"All that is on the initiative and assistance from Aazmey," suggested Akberdin, to which Saidi agreed.

Saidi also admitted he was investigated and remanded by the MACC about the alleged payments to Aazmey.

Proceedings before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan continues tomorrow morning.

Rosmah is facing three charges pertaining to the alleged misappropriation of funds for the supply and installation of solar energy panels at 369 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