[UPDATED] Court postpones Rosmah’s money laundering, tax evasion trial to Aug

KUALA LUMPUR – Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s RM1.7 million money laundering and tax evasion trial has been postponed to August, following a representation letter sent by her lawyers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).  

The high court here allowed the representation made by both the defence and prosecution teams after both sides submitted that more time was needed to address matters raised in the letter, which was received by the AGC on May 3.

In requesting the trial’s postponement, lead defence counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent said the letter raised relevant facts from Rosmah’s first criminal trial involving three graft charges concerning the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak. 

“The crux of the letter, other than (matters related to) personal grounds, would be to raise facts from the previous solar trial. 

“The defence prays that the letter will be considered and a decision can be made by the prosecution before the trial commences,” he said, confirming that the defence team is seeking a total withdrawal of all 17 charges against Rosmah. 

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said there has yet to be an opportunity for the prosecution to discuss the letter with the AGC as their services have been required in several other court trials this week. 

“Due to a shortage of time, because I was involved in some trials this week, I have not yet set an appointment with the AGC and my superiors to brief them on the representation letter. 

“Some serious legal points have been raised (in the letter). Due to the complexity of issues raised in the letter, I humbly request for (the prosecution to be given) two months to come to a proper decision on whether or not to proceed with this trial,” he said. 

Judge Muniandy Kannyappan has set the trial to begin on August 24 if the representation letter is rejected by the AGC. 

The trial, which was supposed to see the prosecution delivering its opening statement today, relates to 12 charges of money laundering amounting to approximately RM7 million and five counts of failure to declare income to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). 

The money laundering charges are framed under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) while the crimes relating to the IRB are said to have violated the Income Tax Act 1967. 

Rosmah, who is also the wife of imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is accused of committing the offences between December 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017.

In September last year, the solar hybrid trial saw Rosmah being found guilty of corruption on three charges. 

High court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan sentenced Rosmah to a 10-year jail term for each charge, to be run concurrently, and a fine of RM970 million – the highest of its kind.

The case is now awaiting appeal at the appellate court, which will be heard from July 11 to 14. – The Vibes, May 12, 2023