Rosmah Trial Defence Expected To Continue Cross Examination Of Former Moe Sec Gen

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DAY 9 | The corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor, involving alleged misappropriation of funds for the supply and installation of solar energy at 369 rural schools in Sarawak continues today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the proceedings
Summary of Rosmah Mansor's solar energy project caseThe charges are related to the Education Ministry's solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak
The project was valued at RM1.25 billion, and awarded to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd through direct negotiation
Rosmah is facing 3 chargesClick to view information on judge, prosecution and defence teams
The corruption trial against the wife of former premier Najib Abdul Razak, Rosmah Mansor, over a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 schools in Sarawak continues for its ninth day today
It has been scheduled that the defence would resume their cross-examination on former Education Ministry (MOE) secretary-general Madinah Mohamad, who is the sixth prosecution witness
As the court was adjourned early yesterday to allow some rest for Rosmah's lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader, who was unwell, the counsel had informed the court that he would need at least one more day to examine Madinah
Since she started giving her testimony under prosecution's examination last Thursday, Madinah has made explosive revelations on the alleged pressure put by Najib, Rosmah, her aide Rizal Mansor as well as individuals connected to Jepak Holdings on the ministry to approve the project
This includes an incident in 2016, when Rosmah had allegedly told Madinah personally to "have a look at the Jepak solar project" and to "expedite" it
The witness also told the court that the MOE only considered Jepak's proposal because of Najib's minutes in Nov 2015 and June 2016, ordering the Education Ministry to approve the company's proposal
However, during yesterday's proceeding, the defence pointed out to the witness on what appeared to be contradictions in her statements
Akberdin confronted Madinah that she had testified that Najib's minutes on a company's letter was normal, and did not mean that the ministry could execute such orders without proper planning or going against procedures that had been set by the government
He suggested to the witness that her statement in the court blaming Najib's minutes was made in bad faith, and was an attempt to make Najib a scapegoat
Madinah disagreed with the suggestion
The lawyer also suggested to Madinah that there was a contradiction between what she told the court and her action during the material time as the ministry's secretary-general
Referring to a memo from Madinah to the then education minister Mahdzir Khalid, Akberdin said the witness had in 2016 supported Jepak's proposal saying that solar hybrid project was a better option to power the schools, compared with existing diesel generator sets
When Madinah agrees that she had indeed supported the company's proposal in her memo to Mahdzir, Akberdin then points out to the court Madinah's written testimony, particularly the part where she said "diesel gensets was the effective method to supply electricity" to the schools
The retiree, initially disagreeing that she had contradicted herself, eventually conceded that there was contradiction after being pressed by Akberdin
Akberdin: You disagree? I have read it. It is short and easy to understand. You do not agree that before this you supported (the proposal) for solar, but now you support gensets
Madinah: From that perspective, there is a contradiction
[More to follow] - Mkini

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