My marriage to Najib wouldn't last 34 years if I was overbearing - Rosmah

My marriage to Najib wouldn't last 34 years if I was overbearing - Rosmah

Rosmah Mansor denied the prosecution’s claim that she was of "overbearing nature", saying that her marriage to former premier Najib Abdul Razak would not have lasted 34 years otherwise.

During her corruption trial today linked to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid energy project, the accused testified that it is up to Najib whether to accept her views or otherwise, just like any other married couple.

Making reference to the prosecution’s contention that she tried to influence Najib when he was prime minister, Rosmah claimed that she had never directed her husband to follow her views, and that she was also open to his views.

Rosmah was also referring to an audio recording (P36) that the prosecution tendered during her trial previously, which was allegedly on her conversation with Najib.

“If this is what is said to be my ‘overbearing nature’ and ‘ability to influence decisions in the public sector’, my marriage to my husband would not have lasted 34 years; if it is true that I am an ‘overbearing person’ as intimated by the prosecution.

“In any event, the conversation in P36 does not in any way touch on the solar hybrid project,” she said, dismissing the allegation as not verified, untrue, and cannot be considered by the court.



Gopal Sri Ram

In the prosecution’s opening statement on the first day of trial in February last year, lead deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram contended that Rosmah, being the wife of former prime minister Najib, had occupied no official position, but wielded considerable influence by reason of her overbearing nature.

Rosmah, 70, is facing three charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.

In the first charge, she is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million in bribes from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd to help secure an Education Ministry project.

The RM1.25 billion project was intended to supply power to 369 rural schools in Sarawak using a combination of solar and diesel energy.

In the second and third charges, she is accused of receiving RM1.5 million and RM5 million in bribes respectively as a reward for securing the project.