Mahdzir threatens to sue anyone linking his TNB appointment to graft

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 13 May 2020 5:26PM · 5 Comments

ANYONE linking Mahdzir Khalid to corruption in relation to his Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairmanship will be sued for defamation, said his lawyer today.

C. Vignesh Kumar said the Umno man’s new appointment has given rise to criticim and slander owing to his alleged involvement in a billion-ringgit solar project when he was the education minister.

“The unfounded statements and slanders brought against Mahdzir without proper understanding of the justice system is regrettable,” said Vignesh today in a statement.

“Our client has instructed us to file defamation action or any other action deemed necessary should there be anymore attempts to discredit or defame him.”

The lawyer appeared to be referring to a Facebook post by Bersatu’s Maszlee Malik.

Without naming Mahdzir, Maszlee said that “a character” who was involved in a solar project for schools in rural Sarawak had been given a position in a GLC which is “also related to energy”.

The solar project scandal came to light during the Pakatan Harapan administration and is currently the subject of a corruption trial involving the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak.

Rosmah is accused of receiving RM6.5 million in kickbacks from the project.

Maszlee was the education minister when the government was probing the affair.

Mahdzir, a key witness in the trial, had testified that he was pressured by Najib, Rosmah and her aide Rizal Mansor  to approve the RM1.25 billion deal.

Vignesh said today that his client is not the accused in the case of the solar project.

“Having represented Mahdzir in the proceedings of this case, we would like to shed some light on his alleged involvement in the trial.

“His role in the trial of the bribery case was that of a witness. He was never charged nor was there any finding of guilt against him in this case.

“Despite knowing that his testimony in court would possibly be detrimental to his political career, he chose to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in furtherance of justice and to ensure that the real perpetrators would be brought to justice.

“Pursuant to that, he had given testimony as a prosecution witness for the MACC under oath in court in February 2020,” he said.

Vignesh did not say if Mahdzir would take legal action against Maszlee over his remarks.

TNB on May 8 announced the appointment of Umno vice-president Mahdzir as its chairman. – May 13, 2020.

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Comments

  • Another unfit as a future PM.

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • The sad future of Malaysia.

    Posted 6 years ago by CS Lee · Reply

  • Well, already recorded in the court how you surrendered to or abetting Rosmah and, Najib.

    Posted 6 years ago by Penganalisa L · Reply

  • So whats new, pity the Malaysian taxpayers.

    Posted 6 years ago by Brian Narayanan · Reply

  • Everyone knows what the appointment is meant to do. Does not matter what you call it. By good corporate governance promoted by SC and Bursar chairman of the board Of a listed businesscenyity should be elected by the board not by government!

    Posted 6 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply