KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today set aside the joint trial application involving Datuk Rizal Mansor and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor regarding a solar hybrid project for 369 schools in Sarawak.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib today withdrew his application due to a technical issue.
“We want to avoid any possible argument later that the application is null and void.
“We will file a new application for the joint trial soon (after application to transfer the case is heard)” he said during mention of the case before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
Counsel Ridha Abdah Subri, who represented the accused, said he had no objection to the prosecution’s request.
The court then allowed the application and said the corruption case against Rizal would remain in his purview in the High Court.
On Jan 25, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, who is the lead prosecutor in Rosmah’s corruption case, told the High Court that they (prosecution) would apply for the joint trial after their application to transfer Rosmah’s case was complete.
“We have filed an application to transfer Rosmah’s corruption charges to the High Court and the hearing of the application has been fixed on March 15,” he had said before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.
On Nov 15, Rosmah, 67, wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was charged with two counts of soliciting and receiving RM187.5 million and RM1.5 million respectively from Saidi Abang Samsudin, managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The amount was allegedly solicited by Rosmah as an inducement to help the company secure a tender through direct negotiation with the Education Ministry worth RM1.25 billion for a solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
The Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and Maintenance and Operation of Genset/Diesel was for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
On the money laundering charges, Rosmah was allegedly engaged in transactions that involved proceeds from unlawful activity by allowing money totalling RM7,097,750 to be deposited into her account.
Rizal, 44, who at one time served as Rosmah’s aide, was charged with soliciting and receiving bribes amounting to RM218 million on behalf of Rosmah and himself.
On the first charge, he is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million on behalf of Rosmah from Saidi Abang.
According to the charge, the money was an inducement for Rosmah to assist the company in securing the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project as well as the Maintenance and Operation of the Genset/Diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion via direct negotiation with the Education Ministry.
On the second charge, Rizal was accused of soliciting RM25 million for himself from the same person to ensure that Rosmah would assist the company with obtaining the project.
The offence was allegedly committed at Lygon Cafe, G-24, Ground Floor, Sunway Putra Mall, 100, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit between March and April 2016.
On the third charge, he is accused of receiving RM5 million on behalf of Rosmah from the same person as a reward for Rosmah for assisting Jepak Holdings obtain the project through direct negotiation at Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd on Dec 20, 2016.
Rizal was also charged with receiving RM500,000 for himself from the same person as a reward for him in ensuring Rosmah assisted Jepak Holdings obtained the same project, at No 1, Laman Damai Sari, Jalan 1/16, Bukit Segambut on Dec 23, 2016.
The offence falls under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the total value of the bribe.