News by Hafiz Yatim

Former aide to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Datuk Rizal Mansor today admitted in High Court that he personally received close to RM1 million by Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd former managing director Saidi Abang Sammsudin, who also sponsored an umrah pilgrimage Rizal and his family embarked on in 2016.

This follows the Federal Court today dismissing a stay application by former Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Jahid @ Noordin Jahim for a stay of the state election pending the hearing of former Sabah Chief Minister (CM) Tan Sri Musa Aman's appeal over who should have been the rightful Sabah CM since May 2018.

Lim, 59, who was formerly Penang Chief Minister (CM), was charged with causing the state land registrar to dispose of the first government-owned parcel — PT Lot 702 at Bandar Tanjong Pinang which is said to be worth RM135.086 million — to Ewein Zenith at the Land and Mines Department in Komtar on February 17, 2015.

Datuk Rizal Mansor (file picture), the prosecution's 21st witness, was asked by Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram whether he had struck any deal or arrangement with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to have his own graft charges dropped by giving false evidence against Rosmah. To this, Rizal said, “Never.”

Former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor: The team [was] managed by me and was tasked with scrutinising social media content that gave a negative impression on her. The team [was] tasked with fending off and refuting slander or accusations made against Rosmah.

Giving an insight into how the Prime Minister's Office worked and the influence that she possessed, Datuk Rizal Mansor, 46, (pictured) who is the prosecution's 21st witness, said he was entrusted by Rosmah to collect funds or contributions given to her as the prime minister's wife.

“The political situation at that time required a lot of money and I saw Datin Seri Rosmah spend a lot on personal and political affairs, such as paying bloggers and cybertroopers, to defend her image and reputation,” the witness testified.

Justice Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who led the three-member bench, ruled that the decision is unanimous and there was no appealable error in the Kota Kinabalu High Court decision.

Synergy Promenade was appointed by Felda to be the master developer of the KL Vertical City project during Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad's time as Felda chairman, before the deal did not materialise.

The penthouse, which was seized by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a civil forfeiture action, was sold for only US$18 million (RM74.69 million) compared to the purchase price of close to US$51 million six years ago.