KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was today forced to postpone Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's corruption trial to Feb 15 after the last witness scheduled to testify failed to turn up in court.
Rosmah's lawyer, Azrul Zulkifli Stork informed High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that their witness, Datuk Seri Siti Azizah Sheikh Abod was still under home surveillance after returning from the middle east.
He said Siti Azizah, who was a special officer to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak assigned to coordinate Rosmah's affairs, had returned from Abu Dhabi on a later than scheduled date after her flight on Jan 27 was cancelled.
"The flight was re-timed to fly back on Jan 28 and her home quarantine is now scheduled to end on Feb 5," he said.
However, Zaini said as far as he could recall the court had been informed that Siti Azizah was supposed to fly back on Jan 20 and called on Azrul to explain on the discrepancy in the dates.
"As far as I can recall you said she would be back on the 20th and that is why I fixed today for continuation of this trial.
"But now we are told she only got back on the 28th?."
Azrul however maintained that he had informed the court that the witness would be arriving here on the 28th.
The discrepancy was then put down to the mispronunciation of the 28th and 20th.
Zaini the accepted the defence's explanation and said the court had no choice but to fix Feb 15 for Siti Azizah to be cross examined.
The judge also made it clear that he wanted the witness to finish taking the stand on that day before submissions are heard.
Rosmah is being defended by Azrul, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader and Datuk Jagjit Singh while the lead prosecutor in the case is Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.
She has been ordered to enter her defence against charges of soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd to help the company secure a project to supply solar energy to rural schools in Sarawak.
She is also accused of receiving RM6.5 million to ensure the company got the project. - NST
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