KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has fixed Dec 14 to hear an application filed by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pic) who is seeking to recuse a judge from presiding over her RM7mil money laundering and tax evasion case.
Lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent, who is representing Rosmah, confirmed that the date was fixed during case management before deputy registrar Catherine Nicholas here on Friday (Nov 12).
The wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants to recuse High Court judge Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who had ordered Rosmah to enter her defence in the Sarawak solar hybrid project case on Feb 18, from presiding over her money laundering and tax evasion case.
The money laundering and tax evasion case, also fixed to be heard by Justice Mohamed Zaini, is scheduled to begin after the corruption trial involving the solar hybrid project is over.
The application was filed through Messrs Geethan Ram on Nov 2 and named the public prosecutor as the sole respondent.
In the court document, Rosmah said the judge allowed the prosecution in the solar hybrid project case to cross-examine her using a cautioned statement linked to the money laundering case.
“The statements and exhibits that have been tendered before the court in the solar case could directly or indirectly influence Justice Mohamed Zaini if he hears this (money laundering) case,” she said.
Rosmah said her right to a fair trial was protected under the Federal Constitution.
“This right would be badly prejudiced and become pointless if Justice Mohamed Zaini hears the trial,” she said.
Rosmah also stated in the document that Justice Mohamed Zaini must recuse himself from hearing her money laundering case, which should be transferred to a different court.
Rosmah is facing 12 money laundering charges amounting to about RM7,097,750 and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
She allegedly committed the offences at Affin Bank Bhd, Cawangan Bangunan Getah Asli, Jalan Ampang between Dec 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017, and at the IRB, Kompleks Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2018.
She is currently on trial for a charge of soliciting RM187.5mil and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5mil from Jepak Holdings’ former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin involving the RM1.25bil solar hybrid project in Sarawak.
