PMO determined approval method for Jana Wibawa projects - witness

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was told yesterday that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) determined whether the approval for Jana Wibawa projects was via direct negotiation of a pre-qualified open tender.

Former Finance Ministry Government Procurement Division deputy secretary Rosni Mohd Yusoff, 52, told the court that it was instructions from the PMO to the ministry.

“For Jana Wibawa, it is definitely determined by the PMO for implementation via direct negotiation or pre-qualified open tender.

“The projects are listed for evaluation by the procurement division, including certain companies and the implementation method,” she said during the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Azmi on the first day of Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s corruption and money laundering trial before judge Rozina Ayob.

Rosni said under the open tender process, five to six names (of companies) are sent to the contractor assessment committee that she chaired together with the technical team comprising several ministries.

“Officers assessed companies under the Jana Wibawa project provided by the ministry.

“After my officer processed and assessed the project, it would be brought to a committee that I chaired… after obtaining the names of the companies, we would bring it to the finance minister.

“The decision will be given to the Public Works Ministry’s secretary-general for further evaluation,” the third prosecution witness said, adding that the assessment would be based on compliance with conditions as well as the financial and technical capabilities of the company.

Bribery, money laundering

Wan Saiful, 47, is charged with soliciting bribes from Lian Tan Chuan as an inducement for him to assist Nepturis Sdn Bhd in obtaining the RM232 million Central Spine Road: Sertik to the East Coast Expressway Intersection project.

He is also accused of receiving RM6,962,694.54 in cash via a CIMB Bank Berhad account owned by his company WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd from Nepturis’ Maybank Islamic Berhad account as a fee for assisting the company in obtaining the project’s acceptance letter.

The Tasek Gelugor MP allegedly committed both offences at the Royal Lake Club, Taman Tasik Perdana in April 2022 and at the CIMB Bank Berhad Bukit Tunku branch between July 8 and Sept 30, 2022.

He is also facing 18 charges of money laundering involving RM5.59 million by transferring and using the illegal proceeds to pay for a Ford Ranger, payments to the National Sports Council, and transferring the money to several company accounts, including one owned by Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd.

The offences were all allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank Berhad Bukit Tunku branch here between Aug 12 and Nov 13, 2022 under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

- Bernama

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