A DRIVER today testified in Rosmah Mansor’s graft trial that he had to help carry cash-laden bags twice, in 2016 and 2017.

Shamsul Rizal Sharbini, 42, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that on one of those occasions, the bags were so heavy that he could only carry them one at a time.

Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin as an inducement to help the company secure a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

The 69-year-old is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million in 2016 and 2017.

Shamsul said on the first occasion, which took place in late 2016, he drove Saidi to Lygon Bistro at Sunway Putra Mall.

“Saidi often goes there to drink coffee and meet with friends for golf.”

He said he drove Saidi and the latter’s acquaintance, Razak Abdullah, to a Maybank branch in Jalan Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur, about 11am.

After the duo returned from the bank, Shamsul said he was instructed to buy two large black luggage bags at Pertama Complex and bring them to the men.

Saidi and Razak re-entered the bank, and came out with an unidentified Malay man. The three brought the two bags to Shamsul’s Range Rover.

The witness said he noticed that the third man had a firearm.

“Saidi whispered to me that the man was afraid to die should anything happen.”

Shamsul said he drove to a residential building next to the Pavilion shopping complex.

“I parked in front of the building, which has a lobby,” he said, adding that he was told to remove the bags from the vehicle.

“I lifted the bags one by one, and placed them at the entrance. I had to lift them one by one as they were heavy, and I was not able to carry them both at the same time.”

It was at this moment Shamsul saw Rosmah’s then aide, Rizal Mansor, at the lobby. After a brief conversation, Saidi carried one bag, and Razak, the other.

Shamsul said Saidi, Razak, Rizal and the unidentified man then headed into the lobby.

Saidi returned less than half an hour later with Razak, and without the bags, said the witness.

“Saidi later joked, saying ‘I don’t even know who it was that was in our vehicle. What if he had killed all of us?’.”

2017 trip to Taman Duta

Shamsul then testified on the delivery of RM1.5 million to another of Rosmah’s residences, in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

Towards the end of 2017, he was told to fetch Saidi from his home and head to the same Maybank branch.

Shamsul was then instructed to buy two backpacks from Chow Kit costing RM45 each. Afterwards, he went to the bank.

“At the top floor, I was instructed to place bundles of cash, in RM100 denominations, into both bags.”

After leaving the bank with the money, Shamsul followed a Vellfire driven by Saidi’s business partner, Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

Shamsul said the two vehicles drove to a private residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, where Rizal was waiting at the entrance.

“At the lobby, Rayyan instructed me to carry the bags,” he said, adding that the three men had a conversation.

“Saidi asked Rizal, ‘Where is madam?’. As far as I recall, Rizal replied, ‘Madam is upstairs’.”

Shamsul confirmed that the residence belonged to Najib.

Rizal, who was acquitted on January 8 of four counts of corruption involving the solar project, is expected to be called to testify against Rosmah, with whom he was originally slated to be jointly tried.

Rizal, along with Saidi, Razak and Rayyan, appeared briefly at today’s hearing to be identified by Shamsul.

Rosmah is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million at Lygon Cafe, Sunway Putra Mall in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, between March and April 2016.

She also allegedly received RM5 million in Jalan Langgak Duta on December 20, 2016 and a further RM1.5 million at the prime minister’s official residence at Seri Perdana in Persiaran Seri Perdana, Precinct 10, Putrajaya, on September 7, 2017.

She faces 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.

Rosmah is represented by about a dozen lawyers led by Jagjit Singh. Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram heads the prosecution.

The trial before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan continues. – February 6, 2020.