MAHDZIR Khalid told the court today he didn’t know about any demands Rosmah Mansor’s former aide had made to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd for the Sarawak company to secure a solar project for schools in the state.

Defence lawyer Jagjit Singh had also asked the former education minister whether the former aide, Rizal Mansor, had asked for a 10% to 12% kickback and sums amounting to RM5 million and RM125 million from the firm.

Mahdzir, who is the fifth prosecution witness in Rosmah’s corruption trial, said he didn’t know about other transactions involving Rizal. 

Jagjit: On December 20, 2016, Rizal received RM500,000 for Umno Youth campaigns?

Mahdzir: I don’t know.

Jagjit: You knew Rizal was campaigning for Umno Youth?

Mahdzir: I don’t remember.

Jagjit: On August 26, 2017, Rizal received RM30,000.

Mahdzir: I don’t know.

Jagjit: Are you aware that on December 12, 2016, Rizal received RM50,000 for a period of six months?

Mahdzir: I don’t know

Jagjit: Rizal demanded RM5 million and RM125 million from Jepak?

Mahdzir: I don’t know.

Jagjit: Rizal asked for 10 to 12% of the solar hybrid project?

Mahdzir: I don’t agree.

Last week, Mahdzir told the high court that he was under pressure from multiple quarters, including Rosmah, to award a solar hybrid project in Sarawak to a less-than-capable company.

Rosmah, the 69-year-old wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin  as inducement to help the company secure a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

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

As the cross-examination progressed, Jagjit put it to court that until June 7, 2016, Rosmah had not contacted Mahdzir on the solar project, to which Mahdzir agreed. 

Jagjit also questioned Mahdzir on the relationship his family had with the former prime minister and his wife.

Madhzir said his wife, Noraini Abdullah, was the deputy secretary of the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), of which Rosmah was the president then.

Jagjit then asked Mahdzir about Rizal’s role in the deal.

Jagjit told court the witness never verified with Rosmah if Rizal was acting on her behalf. 

He also said Rizal had no authority to speak on behalf of anyone in this matter. 

Jagjit: In paragraph 57 of your witness statement, you said Rizal contacted you on behalf of Rosmah. In paragraphs 42 to 56, you said Rizal was talking for a “party”. There is no basis for Rizal to speak on behalf of a “party” as he has no authority.

Mahdzir: I don’t agree.

Jagjit: Did you at any time contact Rosmah?

Mahdzir: No.

Jagjit: If somebody said they are contacting on behalf, wouldn’t you contact Rosmah to confirm?

Mahdzir: I didn’t because I know Rizal was her officer.

Jagjit: Why don’t you contact her, as you and our wife know her well? You all even bought her a Chanel handbag. Why?

Mahdzir: I didn’t contact her. Rizal told me. 

Jagjit: No reason?

Mahdzir: Rizal was there. No reason to contact Datin Seri.

Jagjit: Why?

Mahdzir: Because I believe what Rizal told me. 

Mahdzir had earlier testified that Rosmah had asked him to expedite the project. 

Today, Jagjit went through Mahdzir’s witness statement and said that his client Rosmah wouldn’t have had time to say this to Mahdzir because she was “too busy” entertaining ministers, ambassadors and friends. – February 11, 2020.