Rosmah a no show on first day of corruption trial

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 3): Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was a no show on the first day of her corruption trial at the High Court here today, due to neck pain. Her trial involves a RM1.25 billion solar project to provide electricity to rural schools in Sarawak.

News reports, citing Rosmah's charge sheet, reported Rosmah purportedly received money from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin as a reward to help the company obtain the project to supply electricity to 396 rural schools in Sarawak.

Today, Rosmah's lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh told High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that Rosmah, who is former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's wife, was unfit to attend court proceedings due to neck pain.

Jagjit said Rosmah had yesterday gone for a medical check up.

Today, Jagjit, referring to Rosmah's medical report which was issued yesterday, said Rosmah had also been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis for both knees, as well as chronic adrenal insufficiency.

Jagjit said Rosmah's condition could be life threatening.

Jagjit apologised to Mohamed Zaini and requested for a one-week adjournment for Rosmah's trial.

Lead prosecution lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram objected to Jagjit's request. Sri Ram claimed the request was Rosmah's last minute attempt to avoid attending court proceedings.

Sri Ram said: “We do not accept this medical report. If she was really unwell, she should have been examined last week. We see this as an act of bad faith.”

Sri Ram then questioned Rosmah's diagnosis in the medical report.

Sri Ram said: “Cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis for both knees? I suffer from that too."

“You see her only problem is (that) she is experiencing an overdose of wealth and publicity. If she had informed of her illnesses earlier, I would have accepted it. She should have gone to a government hospital for the check-up,” Sri Ram, who also proposed to the court to revoke Rosmah's bail, said.

Mohamed Zaini, after listening Jagjit and Sri Ram's arguments today, allowed the trial adjournment for today and tomorrow's sessions.

Mohamed Zaini said the trial will begin on Wednesday (Feb 5) at 10am.

Speaking to Jagjit, Mohamed Zaini said: “If need be, I permit your client to come to court in a wheelchair. We can also arrange for an adjournment from time to time, if she requires a break. However, trial will start this Wednesday.”

Rosmah faces several corruption charges. It was earlier reported that on Nov 15, 2018, Rosmah was charged with two counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM1.5 million involving the project.

In 2019, she was again charged for receiving RM5 million involving the same project.

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