Rosmah's money laundering, tax evasion trial to begin next May

The High Court today fixed 15 days from May 12 next year for Rosmah Mansor’s money laundering and tax evasion trial.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set the dates during today's case management, attended by deputy public prosecutor Poh Yih Tinn and lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent representing Rosmah.

"The dates set by the court are May 12; June 28 and 30; July 6, 7, 27, 28 and 31; Aug 1, 2, 11, 24 and 25 and Sept 7 and 8, 2023," said the judge who also set Feb 20 next year for case management.

However, Zaini said the hearing dates will depend on Rosmah's appeal at the Court of Appeal which has fixed Dec 23 for case management. 

The wife of former prime minister Najib Razak is appealing to remove Zaini, who had dismissed her first application on Dec 14, 2021, and her second bid on April 25 this year, from presiding over her case.
 
Earlier, Poh informed the court that the prosecution would call 15 witnesses. 

On Nov 29, Zaini reminded the defence team to give priority to the case as it had been pending for four years since Rosmah was charged on Oct 4, 2018.

Rosmah, 70, faces 12 money laundering charges involving RM7,097,750 and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

The offences were allegedly committed at Affin Bank, Bangunan Getah Asli branch, Jalan Ampang, between Dec 4, 2013 and June 8, 2017, at LHDN  Kompleks Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2018.

On Sept 1, Zaini found Rosmah guilty of three charges of corruption related to a solar hybrid project worth RM1.25 billion for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, and sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a fine of RM970 million.

The court also ordered Rosmah to be imprisoned for 30 years if she failed to pay the fine.