Defence team objects to transfer of Rosmah’s case to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Sessions Court has been told that lawyers representing the former prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in the graft charges involving solar energy projects in rural schools in Sarawak, has objected to the prosecution's application to transfer the case to the High Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, who appeared for the prosecution, told this to the court when the case came up for mention before judge Azman Ahmad here Friday (Feb 15).

However, Mohd Dusuki said the date to hear the application had been fixed for March 15.

“Since the application is still pending and has not been resolved at the High Court, I request for another mention date,” he said, and Azman fixed March 20.

Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, representing Rosmah, confirmed the matter and informed the court that they had submitted an affidavit to that effect, but had yet to receive a reply from the prosecution.

On Nov 15 last year, Rosmah, 67, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two counts of soliciting RM187.5mil and receiving RM1.5mil for the project to provide electricity to schools in 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

She was charged under Section 16(a) (A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC), 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.

Besides Akberdin, Rosmah is also represented by lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh.

Also present in court Friday were former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his son Mohd Ashman. – Bernama