KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial wrapped up its case against the former prime minister’s wife today.
Ad hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram told High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan the prosecution had called its witnesses to testify. Twenty-three witnesses had given their evidence since Rosmah’s trial started on Feb 5.
“We are offering 10 witnesses to the defence. And we are also ready to put in our submissions for the end of the prosecution’s case within five days,” he said.
Among the witnesses offered to the defence is Najib Razak.
Rosmah was slapped with three counts of corruption for allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi Abang Samsudin, managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, as an inducement to help the company secure a solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, costing RM1.25 billion, through direct negotiation with the education ministry.
She is also accused of receiving bribes amounting to RM6.5 million from Saidi between 2016 and 2017.
Rosmah’s lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader, said the defence needed about one month to prepare its submissions.
But Zaini said he gave the defence until Dec 28 to file submissions, and the prosecution needed to reply before Jan 4.
“And parties have to appear before me on Feb 10, 2021 for further clarification,” he said.
Earlier, the judge turned down the prosecution’s application to tender an audio recording between Rosmah and Najib. Several witnesses had identified the voices of the couple from the recording.
“Having heard arguments from the learned counsel, I am not inclined for the recording and transcript to be admitted as exhibits,” he said.
Ex-minister Mahdzir Khalid denies corruption claims
The court also heard testimony from former education minister Mahdzir Khalid, who was recalled to the witness stand today.
Lawyer Jagjit Singh, in cross-examining Mahdzir, again questioned him on news reports that said he would be charged with corruption for allegedly soliciting and receiving money from Saidi.
“That was why your lawyer had struck a deal with the prosecution for you to testify against my client,” Jagjit said.
Mahdzir said he disagreed with Jagjit’s suggestion.
The lawyer then pressed Mahdzir on his media statement in May in which he threatened to sue those who tried to link him with corruption claims.
Mahdzir said he could not recall the media statement, to which Jagjit said “you really cannot remember anything at all”.
“Yes, because of Covid,” he jokingly replied.
When Jagjit raised his voice and accused Mahdzir of “exercising selective memory” to questions, the former minister said: “I am not lying to the court. And this is not Parliament.”