DEFENCE lawyer Jagjit Singh today accused Umno lawmaker Mahdzir Khalid of being the “most corrupt” education minister for agreeing to approve a solar hybrid project in Sarawak in exchange for a RM60 million kickback.

Jagjit told the court Mahdzir had initially demanded a 20% cut from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin of the RM1.25 billion solar project, but he was rejected by Saidi.

The lawyer next alleged that Mahdzir reduced the amount to RM60 million, to be paid in RM1 million monthly instalments over a period of five years, to which Saidi agreed.

Jagjit told the court that upon the two of them reaching the agreement, Mahdzir had instructed his staff at the Education Ministry to prepare the paperwork immediately.

Jagjit: I put it to you that you demanded 20% of the solar hybrid project cost and Saidi disagreed to this.

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Jagjit: After discussing with Saidi, he agreed to pay RM1 million per month for a period of five years, total RM60 million.

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Jagjit told Mahdzir that he had evidence for his allegations.

Jagjit: You’ve got to understand, I don’t get all this from thin air. After Saidi agreed to pay you RM1 million per month, you told your staff to prepare the papers immediately.

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Mahdzir was testifying at the trial of Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, who is accused of soliciting RM125 million in bribes from Jepak Holdings and accepting RM1.5 million in bribes from Saidi. –

Yesterday, Mahdzir told the high court that he did not solicit nor receive a bribe from Saidi in connection with a solar hybrid project in Sarawak. 

He said that the project contract worth RM1.25 billion was awarded to Jepak because he was following the orders of then prime minister Najib Razak, adding that he was also pressured by Saidi’s “team” to award the project to the company.

Rosmah, the 69-year-old wife of former prime minister, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi as inducement to help the company secure a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools.

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi in 2016 and 2017.

During cross-examination today, Jagjit asked Mahdzir if he had travelled to Macau and Singapore to gamble. 

Jagjit: You used to travel in a private jet to Macau and Singapore for gambling?

Mahdzir: Disagree

Jagjit: Rented a private jet?

Mahdzir: Disagree

Jagjit: You don’t gamble?

Mahdzir: No.

Jagjit: I put it to you that all this money is to feed your gambling habit?

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Yesterday, Mahdzir also said that Saidi and his partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah weren’t happy about one of the clauses in their contract to outfit 369 schools with a hybrid solar system.

The clause gave the Education Ministry the right to terminate the contract and reduce the number of schools in the project in the event some schools are found to be connected to electric grid lines.

Mahdzir said the contract was amended to their liking after he received a call from Rizal Mansor, Rosmah’s then aide, to not make things difficult as the project was known to ma’am.

He said he understood that by “ma’am” Rizal meant Rosmah.

Touching on the removal of the clause today, Jagjit suggested that it was done because Saidi had agreed to pay the witness a bribe of RM1 million monthly for a period of five years. 

Jagjit: The only reason you removed the clause, although you were not satisfied with Saidi and his partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah, was because you agreed to the RM1 million a month for 5 years. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel. That is the reason.

Mahdzir: I disagree. – February 11, 2020.