KUALA LUMPUR – Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial in connection with the solar energy project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak was postponed for the third time today, as her MySejahtera status still shows that she had close contact with a Covid-19 case.
High court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan vacated today’s hearing after senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram informed the court that Rosmah’s MySejahtera status is still orange.
“I’m advised by my learned friend that the client is still unable to attend court because her (orange) status has not changed. I’m in a very difficult situation because I’ve already suggested to the court the possibility of having a hybrid hearing.
“I also suggested that we facilitate Rosmah to give evidence from her home, with the presence of two deputy prosecutors, the defence counsel, and court officials,” Sri Ram said.
Counsel Datuk Jagjit Singh – representing Rosmah – affirmed that as of today, her MySejahtera status has not reverted to blue, and apologised over the matter.
“The next trial is scheduled on December 23, and I assure that my client would be able to attend. I would prefer the proceedings to be carried out as usual, with all parties physically present in court,” Jagjit said.
However, Zaini said he will take into consideration Sri Ram’s suggestion for a hybrid proceeding to ensure continuity of the trial without further disruptions.
“I have to make provisions because we cannot carry on like this, the trial has to come to an end eventually. The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting dimmer and dimmer,” the judge said.
The court then fixed two additional dates – December 23 and 24 – and six more days on January 10-14, as well as February 4 next year, for the trial.
On December 8 and 10, Zaini had vacated Rosmah’s trial, contending that the court complex’s standard operating procedures only allowed individuals with a blue MySejahtera status to enter the building and will not allow those who had close or casual contact with Covid-19 cases into the premises.
Rosmah, 70, is facing a charge of soliciting RM187.5 million and two charges of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former assistant Datuk Rizal Mansor, as a reward for assisting Jepak Holdings in securing the RM1.25 billion project to equip 369 schools in rural Sarawak with solar hybrid power. – Bernama, December 13, 2021
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