Rosman Mansor failed to turn up at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon due to her medical condition.
Her lawyer Jagjit Singh told judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that his client's illness could be life-threatening.
When the judge asked where he had obtained this information, the lawyer replied that he did a Google search.
“Ah, Doctor Google,” Zaini quipped.
Jagjit then submitted a printout of his Google search, which stated that “Addisonian crisis or adrenal crisis is a potentially life-threatening condition that results from an acute insufficiency of adrenal hormones and requires immediate treatment.”
The Google search result was an excerpt from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI) website, which is part of the US National Library of Medicine.
Earlier, lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram read out portions of the medical report despite Jagjit requesting not to do so as it could embarrass his client.
Sri Ram said Rosmah was suffering from cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the knees and adrenal insufficiency (which is also known as Addison's disease).
The prosecution had refused to accept the medical report and medical certificate, arguing that since Rosmah was diagnosed as suffering from these conditions for five years, the court should have been notified earlier.
Firing a sarcastic salvo at the accused, who is also the wife of former premier Najib Abdul Razak, the veteran lawyer claimed Rosmah was suffering from an “overdose of publicity and wealth” instead.
Meanwhile, Zaini set Wednesday 10am for the commencement of the trial and told the defence he might not agree to further adjournments.
Sympathising with Rosmah's condition, the judge suggested that she attends the hearing in a wheelchair.
“Can I suggest that your client comes in a wheelchair? I understand she has to sit on a hard bench which may not be conducive to her condition so I will allow her to come in a wheelchair.
“As and when she requires a break because she is in pain or otherwise, I will stand down on the matter,” he said.
On Nov 15, 2018, Rosmah pleaded not guilty to two counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM1.5 million for projects to provide solar energy to rural schools in Sarawak.
On the first count, she was charged with dishonestly soliciting for herself, made through her former special officer Rizal Mansor, a gratification, to the amount of RM187,500,000, which is 15 percent of the value of the contract for the solar project, from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
It was as an inducement to help the company (Jepak Holdings) to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and Maintenance and Operation of Genset/Diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion through direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.
On the second count, Rosmah was charged with dishonestly receiving for herself RM1,500,000 from Saidi for the same purpose at No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, here on Sept 7, 2017.
She was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act and faces imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification of RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
On April 10, 2019, Rosmah was charged again in the Sessions Court with accepting gratification of RM5 million from Saidi through Rizal for helping Jepak Holdings to secure the same project at the same place in Jalan Langgak Duta.
Today was supposed to be the first day of the trial. - Mkini
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