ROSMAH Mansor will stand trial tomorrow for corruption charges involving a billion-ringgit project to provide electricity to rural schools in Sarawak.

This will be the first time the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak will stand trial, which is set to continue until the end of April.

Rosmah, 69, is claiming trial to one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving a total of RM6.5 million for the project to provide electricity to 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

She was alleged to have received the bribe from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her aide Rizal Mansor.

Two dozen prosecution witnesses are expected to testify against Rosmah.

Rizal, who was acquitted on January 8, of four counts of corruption involving the same project, is expected to be called to testify against his former boss.

The duo were originally slated to be jointly tried.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who is also overseeing the 1Malaysia Development Berhad audit tampering trial, will preside.

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram will lead the prosecution while Jagjit Singh will act as lead defence counsel.

Rosmah was first charged in November 2018.

The prosecution said the money was gratification for the company to obtain the project, through direct negotiations with the Education Ministry, to install solar hybrid systems and the maintenance and operation of diesel generators.

The project, known as Project Bersepadu Sistem Solar Photovoltaic Hibrid, was valued at RM1.25 billion with RM187.5 million representing 15% of that amount.

Rosmah was accused for soliciting the money at Lygon Cafe, Sunway Putra Mall in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur between March and April 2016.

She was accused of receiving RM5 million at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, on December 20, 2016 and a further RM1.5 million at Seri Perdana Residence, Persiaran Seri Perdana, Precinct 10, Putrajaya, on September 7, 2017.

All charges are framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

Trial dates have been fixed for February 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 20, March 9 to 12, April 6 to 9, 13 to 16, 20 to 23, and 27 to 30.

This will not be Rosmah’s sole criminal case as she faces a money-laundering trial on May 11.

There, she faces 12 counts of money laundering involving RM7,097,750, and five counts for failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.

The trial will also be heard before Zaini. – February 2, 2020.