KUCHING, Sept 1: Datin Sri Rosmah Mansur, the wife of former prime minister Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak, was found guilty today on all three counts of corruption involving a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid energy project for rural schools in Sarawak.
At the moment, the Kuala Lumpur High Court has stood down to mull over the sentence for the charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which provides imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
In delivering today’s verdict this afternoon, High Court judge Mohamad Zaini Mazlan ruled that the prosecution has succeeded in proving its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Earlier today, Rosmah failed to get Zaini recused from the case following the recent alleged leak of a judgement that purportedly pronounced her guilty in the matter.
According to news portal Malay Mail, Rosmah was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million in bribes from contractor Saidi Abang Samsudin in 2016 and 2017 so that his company Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd could secure a RM1.25 billion government project to supply electricity to the schools in Sarawak.
She was also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi. Her trial formally started in February 2020 and concluded in February this year with 23 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses, including Rosmah, testifying during this two-year period.
Malay Mail also reported that Rosmah has so far filed three applications challenging the appointment of lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.
On February 18 last year, Rosmah, 70, was ordered to enter her defence on the three charges after the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case against her. — DayakDaily
