THE Education Ministry had three suggestions after the Public Works Department discovered that the contract for the solar hybrid project had been tampered by Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, the high court heard today.

Former Education Ministry secretary-general Alias Ahmad testified that the three suggestions were to have an internal inquiry, or to amend the contract by making a supplement agreement or to lodge a police report.

As far as he was aware, he said none of the suggestions were executed until he retired on May 22, 2018.

He said this when questioned by accused Rosmah Mansor’s lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader during a cross-examination today.

The contract was signed on June 20, 2017, after which the ministry released a series of payments to Jepak Holdings.

Alias said the ministry on March 14, 2018 held a meeting to discuss the contract tampering by Jepak Holdings.

Looking into the issue, the ministry’s legal adviser suggested that a police report should be lodged over contract tampering.

Akberdin: (But) You and then education minister (Mahdzir Khalid) didn’t make a police report but instead suggested that the tampered contract could be corrected with a supplement agreement.

Alias: Disagree.

Akberdin: So, why didn’t you make a police report?

Alias: None of the three actions were taken.

Akberdin: Why was nothing done?

Alias: I got to know that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) took the files for investigations. So, that is why maybe (we) couldn’t do it.

Akberdin: Dato, at that point of time, MACC have not begun investigating this project. You didn’t want to make the report and you stopped others from making the report.

Alias: I disagree.

Akberdin: I put it to you that you and Mahdzir were in cahoots with Jepak. That is why you let them go and no action was taken.

Alias: Disagree.

Earlier, Rosmah’s defence team accused Alias of having vested interests in the solar hybrid project that is at the centre of her graft trial.

Akberdin said Alias had “interests” in the project because he continuously pressed on the disbursement of RM130 million in advance payment to Jepak Holdings, despite Finance Ministry’s reservations on releasing the money.

Previously, Alias was grilled on whether he knew and had played gold with Jepak Holdings director Saidi Abang Samsudin.

Today, Alias was asked if he had invited Saidi for his daughter’s wedding, to which Alias denied doing so.

Akberdin: You invited Saidi to your daughter’s wedding?

Alias: I didn’t invite but he attended.

Akberdin: You didn’t invite but he attended with the minister?

Alias: I only invited the minister.

Akberdin said he would check this matter with Saidi when he takes the stand.

Rosmah, 69, faces three corruption charges, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings’ Saidi as inducement to help the company secure the solar hybrid project in Sarawak.

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi in 2016 and 2017. – July 13, 2020.