Rosmah's solar case to resume on April 29 and 30, says prosecution

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): With the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO), Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's (pictured) solar hybrid corruption trial will now resume on April 29 and 30.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib told theedgemarkets.com that the trial was initially supposed to resume on April 15, but since the MCO has been extended to April 28, the case had been deferred again.

“Hence, it would resume on April 29 and 30,” said Ahmad Akram.

It was previously reported last March 31 that Ahmad Akram said the solar hybrid case might continue on April 15, after the MCO was first extended to April 14.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced last Friday that the MCO would be extended again from April 14 to 28.

Should Rosmah's case continue on April 29 before High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, then the defence would continue to cross-examine the 12th prosecution witness, former Education Ministry (MoE) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad.

Rosmah, 68, is facing a charge of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving a bribe of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former aide, Datuk Rizal Mansor.

This was for Jepak to secure the RM1.25 billion Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and Maintenance and Operation of Genset/Diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, through direct negotiation, from the MoE.

She allegedly committed the offences between January 2016 and Sept 7, 2017.

If convicted, she faces an imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification of RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Rosmah, who is the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was initially supposed to be tried with Rizal, who was charged with four counts of soliciting and receiving bribes on her behalf over the project.

However, last Jan 8, the prosecution withdrew the charges against Rizal, and the court granted him an acquittal.

Najib's wife's is also facing 12 charges of money laundering involving RM7,097,750 and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board. The trial for that case has been scheduled to start in the middle of next month.

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