ROSMAH Mansor today claimed trial to 17 charges of money laundering and failing to declare income to the Inland Revenue Board.

She pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering related to transactions involving her Affin Bank account between the end of 2013 and last year.

She also claimed trial to five charges of not declaring income to IRB.

The former prime minister’s wife looked calm and composed as the court interpreter took 22 minutes to read out all 17 charges.

According to the charge sheet, Rosmah is accused of receiving payments totalling RM500,000 in three transactions in December 2013.

She is also said to have received, in 2014, RM100,000 on January 2, RM100,000 (January 29), RM200,000 (February 28), RM100,000 (March 14) and RM100,000 (April 8).

There were another eight transactions, totalling RM1.6 million, between September 4 and December 22, 2014.

In 2015, she is accused of allowing 127 transactions, totalling RM3.853 million, to the same account, and the following year, she allegedly received transactions amounting to RM510,000.

The charge sheet stated that on March 29 last year, she allegedly received RM30,000 in five transactions.

On the charges involving her alleged failure to file tax returns between 2013 and last year, Rosmah stands accused of not declaring tax returns amounting to RM500,000 for 2014, RM2.24 million (2015), RM3.853 million (2016) and RM510,000 (2017). She is also accused of not declaring tax returns amounting to RM30,000 for this year.

If found guilty, she faces a fine of RM5 million or more, and a jail term of between five and 15 years under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.

Chief prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram urged the court to impose bail of RM10 million with the condition that Rosmah does not make contact with witnesses.

Gopal also applied that Rosmah surrender both her passports to the court.

However, Rosmah’s lawyer, Geethan Ram Vincent, objected to the high bail amount sought, saying his client is ready to comply with the conditions set.

Sessions court judge Azura Alwi granted bail at RM2 million, on the condition that Rosmah surrenders her passports and does not harass witnesses.

She also allowed a request by Rosmah’s other lawyer, K. Kumaraendran, for the bail to be settled in instalments.

The judge said RM500,000 must be paid today, with the remainder settled by October 11.

Case mention has been set for November 8. – October 4, 2018.