My marriage would not last 34 years if I am an overbearing person, says Rosmah

KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today told the High Court here that her marriage with former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would not reach 34 years if she was an 'overbearing person' as alleged by the prosecution.

Rosmah, 69, said the insinuations used by the prosecution, especially senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram that she had an "overbearing nature" and "ability to influence decisions in the public sector" should not be taken into consideration by the court.

"If I am said to have 'overbearing nature' and 'ability to influence decisions in the public sector', it is certain that my marriage (to Najib) will not last for 34 years," she said when reading out her witness statement on the second day of of her defence trail on three corruption charges involving a solar hybrid project worth RM1.25 billion for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Rosmah said she and her husband were normal human beings just like other couples and their conversation was private.

"I gave my opinion, and my husband listened, and vice versa. At times, my husband gives his views and I listen. Whether my husband accepts my views, or whether I accept my husband's views, is secondary. It is a normal married life," she added.

She was referring to an audio recording and transcript containing the sentence "Can I advise you something?" which was accepted as evidence in the case.

"In the conversation, I never wanted my husband to follow my views, I just emphasised my views and feelings. That was all,@ she added.

The audio recording, which was submitted by the Malaysian Anti -Corruption Commission (MACC), is believed to be part of a conversation between Rosmah and Najib played by the prosecution during the trial when former Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid testified.

Rosmah also denied having suggested that a consultation agreement be prepared to ensure that Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd kept its promise to pay political contributions after securing the hybrid solar project.

Instead, she said, it was an idea put forward by a businessman, Lawrence Tee Kien Moon, who is the 20th prosecution witness.

Rosmah said her former aide, Datuk Rizal Mansor lied when testifying that she (Rosmah) had several times reminded him to prepare the agreement.

"Rizal's testimony does not make sense because the consultation agreement was later revoked because Jepak was given the hybrid solar project and it proved that I had nothing to do or had any interest in the project," she added.

She also told the court that she had never helped Jepak to get the any minutes from the Prime Minister regarding the letter of support for the company to get the solar project.

"All 11 minutes and the Prime Minister's initials for Jepak were obtained by Datuk Aazmey Abu Talib and strangely he (Datuk Aazmey) was never called by the prosecution as a witness, nor offered to the defence," she added.

On Feb 18, the High Court ordered Rosmah to enter her defence on the three corruption charges after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against her.

Rosmah, 69, was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes of RM6.5 million from Saidi through Rizal.

It was an inducement to help the company (Jepak Holdings) to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and maintenance and operation of genset/diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak worth RM1.25 billion through direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.

The offence was allegedly committed at Lygon Cafe, Sunway Putra Mall, Jalan Putra, here; her residence at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta and at Seri Perdana, Persiaran Seri Perdana, Presint 10, Putrajaya, between January 2016 and September 2017.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA