Pending new development of bid for charges to be dropped.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning adjourned the corruption and tax evasion trial of Rosmah Mansor to allow the attorney-general time consider her request for the charges to be dropped.
Judge K Muniandy was told at the start of the hearing today that Rosmah has cited a “new development” in her letter of representation.
The wife of former prime minister Najib Razak is accused of laundering RM7 million and failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board. She faces up to 15 years and a fine of RM5 million if convicted.
Muniandy vacated the trial dates for today and in June and early August.
The trial will resume August 24 if the attorney-general rejects the letter of representation.
Earlier Rosmah’s lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent said the letter of representation was sent to the attorney-general on May 3 for prosecutors to withdraw the 12 money laundering and five tax evasion charge against his client.
He said the letter of representation cited facts of another case in which Rosmah was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined RM970 million. Her appeal is pending.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib confirmed receipt of the letter and asked for two months to study the bid.
“As the letter of representation cites some new facts and issues, I have to prepare a fresh and new write-up to properly brief my superiors.
“Due to the complexity of the issue, I seek the court’s indulgence of two months to get everything done,” the prosecutor said. – TMI