THE hefty fine imposed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Rosmah Mansor after she was convicted in the solar hybrid corruption trial, was unprecedented and the largest in Malaysian legal history, said Jagjit Singh.

The lead defence lawyer criticised the fine imposed on Rosmah, saying she does not have any source of income.

“Today the sentence was passed and the fine was RM970 million, almost RM1 billion.

“You tell me, if any of you can afford that kind of money?”

“We have almost RM1 billion to be paid by our client who doesn’t have any source of income.”

The fine imposed was unprecedented. It is the largest in Malaysian legal history,” Jagjit told the press after the verdict today.

Rosmah was sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined RM970 million after being found guilty of corruption in connection with the RM1.25 billion Sarawak rural schools’ solar energy project.

The court, however, granted her request to suspend the jail sentence and fine pending her appeal to the Court of Appeal.

According to the graft involved, the RM970 million fine is the minimum amount provided for under Section 24(1)(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

Jagjit also expressed his disappointment over the verdict read out today and confirmed that the defence will file an appeal. 

He described the case as a “classic example” of name dropping for personal gain. 

Jagjit said that the “real culprit” in this case is walking free without any charges. 

He was referring to Rosmah’s former aide, Rizal Mansor. 

“If you look at the money trail, she has not got 1 sen,” he said. 

“Solicitation was done by Rizal. He was charged (but) they withdrew the charges. Why? They want to use him as a witness.”

“It is all there in the evidence but you (prosecution) want to zero in on one person.”

“So, you withdraw the charges from Rizal, have him acquitted. A self corrupted person, who admitted he received monies.”

“Yet, you believe him and disbelieve my client. “

“This is a classic example whereby Rizal had used her (Rosmah’s) name, abused his position and enriched himself, and yet he is a free man walking out there,” he said. 

Rizal has had his criminal charges withdrawn by the prosecution in the corruption case involving RM5 million in kickbacks over a solar hybrid project. 

He was earlier jointly charged with Rosmah in the corruption case. – September 1, 2022.