ROSMAH Mansor’s lawyers today tried to cast doubt on witness Mahdzir Khalid’s credibility by suggesting that he flew on a private jet to gamble overseas.

The former education minister denied any knowledge of a Gulfstream GIV-SP private jet with registration number SN1487, when grilled by the defence lawyers if he either owned or flew on it.

The Umno lawmaker, who is a prosecution witness in the criminal case against Rosmah, said he has no knowledge on it.

Jagjit: The private jet GIV-SP SN1487, you own the jet? 

Mahdzir: No

Jagjit: Do you know who owns it?

Mahdzir: No.

Jagjit: Did you travel in this jet?

Mahzir: Not sure.

Then Jagjit asked if the former education minister was aware that the jet had travelled to Kuching, Penang and Macau, to which Mahdzir said that he was not aware.

On Tuesday, lawyer Jagjit accused Mahdzir of being the “most corrupt” education minister for agreeing to approve a solar hybrid project in Sarawak in exchange for a RM60 million kickback.

The defence lawyer also claimed that Mahdzir often travelled to Macau, Singapore and Perth to gamble and used corruptly obtained money to feed his gambling habits. Mahdzir vehemently denies these claims.

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. 

Today, Jagjit showed an article to Mahdzir and referred to a paragraph from it, which read “We are delighted to announce that we have just closed the sale on the Gulfstream GIV-SP SN1487 completing her delivery to the new owner on Friday 19th October. In true Affinity style it took only eight weeks from the initial enquiry coming in to the close of the international deal, delivering from a Malaysian owner to an excited US buyer.”

Based on this, he asked Mahdzir if he had any idea who the Malaysian owner was. Mahdzir said he doesn’t know.

Mahdzir is the fifth prosecution witness in Rosmah’s graft trial.

Rosmah, the 69-year-old wife of former prime minister, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million as inducement to help Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd secure a solar hybrid project in Sarawak.

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million over the project in 2016 and 2017.

The defence completed its cross-examination on Mahdzir today.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib told high court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that the prosecution would like to re-examine the witness.

However, since lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram was attending another case at the Federal Court, re-examination would have to be done next week.

Upon hearing this, Mahdzir placed his hands on his forehead and told the court he has been testifying in court for a week. The court erupted into laughter.

Judge Zaini approved the re-examination to be conducted next Monday. – February 13, 2020.