KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 1): High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, in his judgement in Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's solar hybrid graft trial, said it is apparent that the self-proclaimed first lady of Malaysia had her other half — former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak — wrapped around her finger.
Referring to the infamous “can I advise you something” recording that had been admitted as evidence by the prosecution in an attempt to illustrate Rosmah’s overbearing nature, Mohamed Zaini said he did not agree with Rosmah’s claim that it was not her and her husband in the recording.
“No less than three witnesses, namely Datuk Rizal Mansor (her former aide), Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (former education minister) and Tan Sri Madinah Mohamad (former education ministry secretary-general), have positively identified the voices in the recording as that of Najib and the accused.
“These three are familiar with Najib and the accused’s voices. I do not doubt that they were right. The accused had attempted to downplay the conversation in the recording by relating it to a typical discussion between a husband and wife,” the judge said, adding that the court opined that Rosmah did not assertively deny that the voices in the recording were of her and Najib.
Mohamed Zaini said this was no ordinary conversation between spouses, as it was about government affairs, adding that it is clear in the recording that Rosmah gave instructions to Najib on the government affairs in question.
He noted that her tone carried command and was contrary to her claim that she conceded to the prohibition imposed by Najib against meddling in government affairs.
“I say this with the greatest of respect, but it is apparent that the accused dominates Najib,” he wrote in his 116-page judgement.
“She has a steely character and would not hesitate to admonish anyone,” the judge added, noting that this was evident when she was not cowed when cross-examined by Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, which he remarked is no mean feat given the special deputy public prosecutor's eminence as a former Federal Court judge.
In agreement with the prosecution’s assertion of Rosmah having an overbearing nature, Zaini said it is highly improbable that Rizal — whom the defence alleged was the true master mastermind behind the graft scheme — would have arranged a second meeting with Rayyan, without Rosmah’s consent.
The recording which was obtained by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission was pertaining to Rosmah allegedly not being satisfied with former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed taking center stage in a function.
The court on Thursday found Rosmah guilty of soliciting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her then aide Datuk Rizal Mansor, as an inducement to help the company secure the project.
She was also convicted on two counts of receiving bribes amounting to RM5 million and RM1.5 million from Saidi between April and August 2016.
She was sentenced to 10 years in jail and RM970 million in fines. If she fails to pay the fine, she may be liable to a total of 30 years behind bars.
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