Rosmah seeks to get money-laundering cases transferred to High Court

Rosmah Mansor has filed an application for the money-laundering cases against her to be transferred to the High Court.

Counsel Geethan Ram Vincent, representing the wife of the former premier Najib Abdul Razak, told reporters that the application was made at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court last week.

"The application has been set for hearing on Thursday (Dec 29) before the High Court judge Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali," he said after the case management proceedings before the High Court deputy registrar Nur Ain Mustapa.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurshuhaida Zainal Azhar was also present.

"The prosecution had informed that they have no objection to the application to transfer the case but they want to reply to our affidavit," said Geethan.

Another Rosmah's counsel, K Kumaraendran, who was also present today, said that they filed the application on the grounds that it involves points of law and the High Court is the best place to decide on the issue. '

Rosmah was slapped with 17 money-laundering charges on Oct 4.

Rosmah is facing 12 charges for depositing RM7.1 million into her personal accounts from 2013 until 2017, and another five charges for not declaring the deposits in her income tax statements.

All charges are under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla).

Section 4(1) carries a sentence of up to 15 years' jail and a fine five times the amount of the sum involved or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

However, for the first nine charges, as well as the 13th charge, the charge sheet states that Rosmah can be fined not more than RM5 million, or imprisoned up to five years, or both. - Mkini