Rizal pleads not guilty to soliciting RM212mil over solar power project (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Rizal Mansor has pleaded not guilty to four charges of corruption at the Sessions Court here.  

The former aide to former prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had allegedly solicited RM212.5mil and received bribes amounting to RM5.5mil on behalf of Rosmah and himself in assisting Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd to obtain the project to supply diesel, repair generators, and provide solar hybrid systems to 369 rural schools in Sarawak.  

The first and second charges were for soliciting RM187.5mil from Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin on behalf of Rosmah and RM25mil for himself as an inducement in ensuring that the company received the project.

The third and court charges were for corruptly receiving RM5mil on behalf of Rosmah and RM500,000 for himself.  

Rizal allegedly received the money from Saidi between March and December 2016.  

DPP Kamal Baharin Omar requested for bail to be set at RM1mil on Thursday (Nov 15).