Rosmah Mansor’s graft trial today heard that former prime minister Najib Razak wanted the Education Ministry to monitor the solar hybrid project in Sarawak awarded to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Rosmah’s defence team produced a letter with Najib’s minutes that witness, former education minister Mahdzir Khalid, was told to read out in court.

The minutes by Najib stated the Education Ministry should monitor the solar hybrid project undertaken by Jepak Holdings.

The solar hybrid project, worth RM1.25 billion, was awarded to Jepak Holdings to install solar systems in 369 schools in Sarawak.

Mahdzir previously testified that he was pressured by Rosmah, Najib and Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin to expedite the approval of the project.

Rosmah, the 69-year-old wife of Najib, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi as inducement to help the company secure the project.

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

Her defence lawyers also suggested today that Mahdzir was trying to deflect the blame for the project to Najib as he mentioned multiple times in his witness statement that there were orders from the prime minister.

Lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader termed the flow as “avoidance, confession, deflection”.

“First you avoided Saidi in relation to the project, then you agreed to give the solar hybrid project to them (Jepak Holdings), then you told Saidi you have to follow procedure, then you claimed that Jepak didn’t follow regulations and finally you found a scapegoat by blaming the PM,” Akberdin said.

Lawyer Jagjit Singh then accused Mahdzir of deflecting blame because he had received corrupt money.

Jagjit: I put it to you that your witness statement is a deflection. You’re blaming the (former) prime minister.

Mahdzir: I disagree.

Jagjit: But many times in your witness statement you said there were orders from the (former) prime minister. This is what I meant by deflecting your responsibility.

Mahdzir: I don’t understand.

Jagjit: You deflected on the basis that you took RM50k for your London trip, agreed to RM1 million per month for six years.

Mahdzir: I disagree. – February 12, 2020.