ROSMAH Mansor was given RM6.5 million in two tranches for her role in helping Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd acquire a solar hybrid project in Sarawak, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

Jepak Holdings partner Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah told the court that the companny’s managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin had informed him about the payments to the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak.

After receiving the letter of award for the project on November 10, 2016, Rayyan said Saidi met him sometime the following month to inform him about the first RM5 million payment that was made to Rosmah.

Rayyan, while reading his statement, said Saidi had told him that the payment was made to Rosmah via her then aide, Rizal Mansor.

On the same night of his meeting with Saidi, Rayyan said Saidi had invited him to Rizal’s residence in Vista Kirana, Segambut because Saidi wanted to give a gift to Rizal.

Rayyan said he obliged.

There, Rayyan said Saidi gave Rizal a paper bag, which Rayyan believed contained cash.

“After leaving Rizal’s residence, Saidi said RM500,000 was given to Rizal as a reward for helping Jepak get the solar project from the Education Ministry,” Rayyan said.

Both these payments, RM5 million and RM500,000, were made before Jepak Holdings received its first payment for the solar project.

Rayyan said in July 2017, Saidi informed him via WhatsApp that Jepak Holdings received its payment of RM63 million for the solar hybrid project and maintenance of the diesel generator set.

Saidi then asked Rayyan to fix another meeting with Rosmah, which was arranged in August 2017 through Rizal.

Rayyan added that on September 7, 2017, he and Saidi went to Rosmah’s residence in Langgak Duta.

Rizal, who was there, brought them to a living hall where Rayyan said he saw Saidi’s driver Shamsul Rizal Sharbini bring in two black bags with orange stripes. The driver placed the bags in the hall and left.

Rosmah came to the hall a few minutes later and pointed to the two bags, while Saidi spoke to her.

Rayyan said Saidi told Rosmah that he was giving her some cash now and that subsequent payments would be made based on the project’s progress.

Rayyan testified that Rosmah’s reaction was to nod in agreement and say “Okay-lah”.

He added that Rosmah did not seem shocked or surprised at the money.

Rayyan told the court that he did not know the bags contained cash until Saidi told him later when they were leaving Rosmah’s residence.

This was the second tranche, which according to Saidi, amounted to RM1.5 million, Rayyan said.

Rayyan also testified that until now, Jepak Holdings had not implemented the solar hybrid project even though it had received the initial payment of about RM63 million from the Malaysian government.

“Although the company is continuing the maintenance of the generator sets in schools, the solar hybrid project is not implemented.”

In August 2017, Rayyan did as what Saidi asked. He contacted Rizal to set up a meeting between Saidi and Rosmah.

In the same conversation, Rayyan said he was curious if Rizal had given the RM5 million to Rosmah, which was given to him by Saidi in December 2016.

He said Rizal had explained that the “barang” (item) was brought to Rosmah’s residence.

Rayyan said Rizal wasn’t pleased with the question that was put to him and responded by saying, “ini ke balasan I dapat” (Is this what I get in return).

On August 10, Rayyan said Rizal told him that a meeting had been arranged for Saidi at Rosmah’s residence.

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

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

Rayyan will now be cross-examined by Rosmah defence lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader. – July 15, 2020.