FORMER Jepak Holdings Sdn bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin today reiterated that he gave RM1.5 million to Rosmah Mansor at her private residence in Langgak Duta three years ago.

The 17th prosecution witness in Rosmah’s corruption trial, during cross-examination, said it was the second payment made to former prime minister Najib Razak’s wife after she helped the company secure a RM1.25 billion solar project for Sarawak schools.

Rosmah’s lawyer, Azrul Zulkifli Stork, disputed Saidi’s claim, saying his client did not receive the cash by hand.

Saidi then said he sent two black bags containing the money to Rosmah’s home on September 7, 2017, with his driver, Shamsul Rizal Sharbini, placing them on the edge of a settee in one of the living rooms.

He earlier proved a withdrawal of RM1.5 million from his Maybank Islamic account on the said date, and insisted that the sum was the cash delivered to Rosmah’s residence.

Azrul: Why did you withdraw RM1.5 million on September 7, 2017?

Saidi: To give it to Rosmah.

Azrul: That is your assumption. You didn’t see her taking it.

Saidi: Yes, I didn’t see it, but I sent it to her house. My driver put the bags inside the house.

Azrul: Why specifically RM1.5 million?

Saidi: Part of the payment.

Azrul: Did you open the bags and show the cash to Rosmah?

Saidi: No.

Azrul: Do you know what happened to the bags after you left the house?

Saidi: I don’t know. How do you expect me to know when I had already left her house?

At this point, the lawyer suggested that Saidi withdrew the money for personal expenses, and pointed out that the witness spent approximately RM1.5 million on, among others, business purposes, a land purchase, contributions to his mother and paying for his sibling to build a house.

Saidi disagreed, insisting that the sum withdrawn was for Rosmah and saying he had cash kept at home for other expenses.

Azrul asked whether Saidi was questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission about the transaction, to which the witness said yes.

However, Saidi said he is unable to recall what he told the anti-graft agency when he was detained.

Azrul asked whether the witness would like to refer to the statement he had given to MACC, in which case, an application can be made for the document to be produced in court.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib objected to this, saying it is not necessary as the witness has testified more than thrice that the money was withdrawn with the purpose of giving it to Rosmah.

He said the defence is “fishing” to find out what Saidi had told MACC.

This led to a heated exchange between Akram and the defence, including lead defence counsel Jagjit Singh, which judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan likened to rival MPs debating in the Dewan Rakyat.

“You watch too much Parliament.”

Defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader told Zaini that the defence would like to impeach Saidi’s credit, as it appears that his statements in court differ from what he had told MACC.

The judge said the defence can either continue with the proceedings or submit that Saidi is not a credible witness at the end of the prosecution’s case.

Jagjit said his team needs more time to deliberate, and will return with an answer on the next trial date.

Saidi was released from the stand, with Zaini saying the witness may be recalled.

Two other witnesses – assistant registrar Rafidah Yahaya and MACC forensic investigator Moses Anak Lawrence – were also called to the stand today to read out their statements.

The trial will resume on September 7.

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

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi in 2016 and 2017. – August 19, 2020.