ROSMAH TRIAL | Political donations offered in connection with the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project was proposed as a show of appreciation for then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's assistance to Jepak Holdings, according to the company's former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
Saidi told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that since Najib was busy, he had intended to channel political donations meant to strengthen Umno-BN, through Rosmah Mansor.
During cross-examination by Rosmah's defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader, Saidi confirmed he had met with Rosmah's aide, Rizal Mansor, and expressed his intention to offer the donation.
Saidi also said Rizal, when asked, had proposed a sum of between 10 and 15 percent of the project value.
"It was my idea (to offer political donations) together with Rayyan, and agreed to by Rizal," said Saidi, in reference to his former business partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah, the 16th prosecution witness in Rosmah's corruption trial.
Asked if he recalled telling Rizal that he felt indebted to Najib over support given to Jepak Holdings, Saidi said, "I don't really remember."
Akberdin suggested that the political donations intended for Najib were to strengthen BN's coffers ahead of the 14th general election but Saidi insisted the sum was a general political donation and he could not remember if it was specifically for election preparations.
"You also informed Rizal that because the prime minister was busy, you and Rayyan intended to donate through Rosmah, correct?" queried Akberdin, to which Saidi replied, "Yes, I did say that."
"In short, as appreciation for the prime minister's 'minute' on Dec 1, 2015, you intended to offer the political donation?" asked Akberdin again, and Saidi responded, "Yes, correct."
The court previously heard that the minute or "note" from Najib was the first in a series of 11 notes he made on letters from Jepak Holdings, including to then education minister Mahdzir Khalid, which eventually led to the issuance of a Letter of Award for the company to supply solar hybrid panels to 369 schools in rural Sarawak.
Saidi (photo) in his testimony claimed Mahdzir had delayed approvals to Jepak Holdings despite Najib's Dec 1 note with an instruction for the Education Ministry to implement the new solar hybrid system.
Saidi also testified he had then, together with Rayyan, planned to seek help from Rosmah - through Rizal - as a more influential figure to get further assistance from Najib.
During today's proceedings, Saidi agreed to Akberdin's suggestion that he had also personally expressed appreciation for Najib to Rosmah, during their first meeting at the couple's home sometime in January or February 2016.
Responding to a series of questions on Rosmah's reaction when he first made the political donation offer, Saidi said she did not appear surprised.
"She was not taken aback, appeared like normal," he said.
"Did you notice her reaction, if she had paused?" asked Akberdin, but Saidi insisted there was no change in her demeanor throughout their brief "five to seven minutes" encounter.
Saidi, the prosecution's 17th witness, was previously reported as being the current managing director of Jepak Holdings.
He, however, today confirmed that he no longer held the position and had sold off his shares.
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
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