Rosmah’s counsel condemns ‘unprecedented’ RM970m fine

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The defence counsel of Rosmah Mansor had criticised the RM970 million fine that was slapped onto her in her conviction over three graft charges linked to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon sentenced Rosmah Mansor to 10 years in jail and the RM970 million fine, with an additional 30 years’ imprisonment if she fails to pay the fine.

In a press conference after today’s hearing, lawyer Jagjit Singh pointed out that the imposed fine was unprecedented in the history of Malaysia’s legal system.

“The fine is RM970 million, that is almost one billion ringgit. You tell me, can anybody afford that amount? I can’t afford that.

“Now our client has to come up with nearly RM1 billion, and she doesn’t have a source of income,” he told reporters in the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.

Jagjit also lamented the court’s decision to dismiss their bid to recuse trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from the case.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader claimed his client was a victim of selective prosecution, saying that “whatever happened to her husband (Najib Razak) also happened to her”.

Jagjit also claimed there was irony in his client’s case, describing it as a “classic example of name dropping being used for personal gain”.

“This is a classic example where (her former aide) Rizal Mansor had used her name, abused his position and enriched himself, and yet he is a free man walking out there,” he said.

“If you look at the money trail, she has not got one sen,” he said.

“Solicitation was done by Rizal. He was charged (but) they withdrew the charges. Why? They want to use him as a witness.”

“It is all there in the evidence but you (prosecution) want to zero in on one person.”

“So, you withdraw the charges from Rizal, have him acquitted. A self-corrupted person, who admitted he received monies.”

“Yet, you believe him and disbelieve my client.”