© Provided by The Edge

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Rizal Mansor, a former aide and special officer to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has had his criminal charges withdrawn by the prosecution in the corruption case involving RM5 million in kickbacks over a solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Rizal was earlier jointly charged with the former premier’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in the corruption case.

During case management before High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan yesterday, lead prosecution lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram sought to withdraw charges against Rizal.

“The prosecution withdraws charges against Rizal Mansor. We offer no evidence against him and we request that your lordship move to withdraw the charges against him,” Sri Ram said.

While the courtroom was stunned into silence, Justice Mohamed Zaini asked Rizal, who was seated in the dock next to Rosmah, to exit as he was no longer an accused.

Rosmah’s lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh then requested for the case, which is set to commence on Feb 3, to be postponed until at least March or April as they need to reorganise their defence strategy in light of this development.

However, Justice Mohamed Zaini held firm with his dates but told the defence that he will give them as much leeway as they need to ensure their client gets a fair trial. “I don’t think adjournment will make much of a difference. Your trial dates will remain,” Justice Mohamed Zaini said.

In a statement, Rizal’s lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri said his client is relieved by Sri Ram’s announcement.

“Our client, Datuk Rizal Mansor, has always been cooperative and respected the due process of law. We thank the prosecution for their wisdom in exercising their constitutional discretion,” he said.

Speaking to the theedgemarkets.com after the case management, Sri Ram said Rizal may be called in as a prosecution witness, depending on the course of the case.

“We don’t know if he’s a prosecution witness. We will take the decision to call him as the case comes along,” he said.

Rizal was previously slapped with four charges of seeking and receiving bribes for himself and Rosmah amounting to RM5.5 million involving the project to supply and install rural school solar energy in Sarawak. Rizal was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

Rosmah, meanwhile, has been charged with two counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM1.5 million over the same project. In April, 2019, she was slapped with a new charge of receiving RM5 million in kickbacks.

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