KUALA LUMPUR: The graft case for Datuk Rizal Mansor, the former aide of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was charged with soliciting and accepting RM5.5 million bribes involving a solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak, will be heard in High Court.
In the re-mention of the case before Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob today, lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri, who represented Rizal, informed that the defence had filed an application to transfer the case to High Court on Dec 5.
The defence also filed an affidavit for the application and the case management before High Court deputy registrar was set for today.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said his team would not file an affidavit or object to the application.
The court then set Jan 10 for the re-mention of the case.
On Nov 15, Rizal pleaded not guilty to four charges of soliciting and receiving bribes amounting to RM218 million on behalf of Rosmah and himself.
On the first charge, he was accused of soliciting RM187.5 million on behalf of Rosmah from Jepak Holding Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
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 gen set and diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion via direct negotiation from 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 was accused of receiving RM5 million on behalf of Rosmah from the same person as a reward for Rosmah for assisting Jepak Holding 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 Holding obtain 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 of not less than five times the total value of the bribe.