Najib, Rosmah expected to face new charges over rural solar panels project

KUALA LUMPUR — Rosmah Mansor is expected to face new charges this week, this time over a RM1.25 billion (S$411 million) solar-hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak, sources said.

The former prime minister’s wife was on October 4 slapped with 17 charges of money-laundering and tax evasion in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.

She claimed trial to all charges and was released on bail of RM2 million in two sureties.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) sources told The Malaysian Insight that Rosmah and her aide, Mr Rizal Mansor, are expected to be charged this week.

The solar-hybrid project came under the spotlight in June when whistle-blower site Sarawak Report said it was awarded to a Bintulu-based company, Jepak Holdings.

Following the report, a company director, managing director and a lawyer were detained by MACC for further investigations.

In July, Mr Rizal was detained by MACC as he was alleged to have solicited money from Jepak Holdings over the project.

Over the weekend, Berita Harian reported that Najib Razak, two former ministers and a former deputy minister will soon be charged with graft and abuse of power over a RM1.25 billion solar-hybrid project in Sarawak.

Also expected to be charged are a former special officer to Najib and a member of parliament.

The former ministers and special officer are expected to be charged this week, while investigations into the others are ongoing.

Last week, Najib was summoned to the anti-graft agency’s headquarters to have his statement recorded over the matter. Also questioned over the project was former education minister Mahdzir Khalid.

In January last year, the Sarawak Report portal published several letters purportedly signed by Najib, which instructed the Education Ministry to award the project and make payments to the company directly despite the firm not fulfilling the contract terms and conditions.

In July, a special officer to Najib was remanded to assist investigations. AGENCIES