ROSMAH TRIAL | The prosecution in Rosmah Mansor's corruption trial has concluded its case against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.
Rosmah is facing three counts of corruption for allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin as an inducement to help the company secure a solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak costing RM1.25 billion through direct negotiation with the Education Ministry.
She is also accused of receiving bribes amounting to RM6.5 million from Saidi between 2016 and 2017.
The trial started on Feb 5 with 23 prosecution witnesses called across 33 days.
The prosecution ended its case after recalling former education minister Mahdzir Khalid, who was the fifth witness, for further cross-examination.
Mahdzir was asked for clarifications on several of his assets and a letter to Najib, who was then the finance minister, seeking exemption on certain financial procedures for payment to Jepak Holdings.
High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan gave the defence until Dec 28 to file submissions and the prosecution would have to reply before Jan 4, 2021.
Zaini also set Feb 10, 2021, to hear oral submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Rosmah, 69, was represented by lawyers led by Jagjit Singh while former High Court judge Gopal Sri Ram headed the prosecution team.
Sri Ram told the court that the prosecution is prepared to offer 10 witnesses for the defence, including Najib.
Earlier, Mahdzir, under cross-examination from Jagjit, said he could not recall his press statement in May in which he threatened to sue those who tried to link him with corruption claims.
This prompted Zaini to remark: "Datuk Seri cannot remember the letter from three months ago? Did you forget because of Covid-19?"
Mahdzir then responded: "Yes, I cannot remember because of Covid."
Earlier, the judge turned down the prosecution’s application to tender an audio recording between Rosmah and Najib.
After hearing submissions from Sri Ram and Akberdin, Zaini ruled that he was "not inclined" for the recording and transcript to be admitted as exhibits.
"Having heard arguments from the learned counsel, I am not inclined to the recording and transcript to be admitted as exhibits," he said.
Previously, the prosecution had submitted that it intended to use the audio recording released by the MACC as evidence against Rosmah.
Rosmah's lawyer, however, urged the judge not to accept the audio clip as evidence, arguing it was a form of "character assassination". - Mkini
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