ROSMAH Mansor was granted bail of RM2 million after being slapped with 17 charges in relation to money laundering and failure to declare income to the Inland Revenue Board.

Sessions judge Azura Alwi granted bail on condition that Rosmah surrender her passports and not harass witnesses in the trial.

The judge also allowed that the bail be paid on an instalment basis.

Rosmah will have to fork out RM500,000 today, with the remainder to be settled by October 11.

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

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

Gopal argued Rosmah has tampered with witnesses in the case by making contact with them. 

Geethan responded by saying that prosecutors were referring to a case where Rosmah had requested for sponsors back in the 2006 wedding of her daughter from a previous marriage, Azreen Ahman. 

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharim said they were referring to a police report lodged against Rosmah in relation to Nooryana Najwa Najib’s wedding in 2015, adding that Rosmah has “a tendency to disturb witnesses”.

Kumaraendran refuted the police report, saying he had not yet been given the opportunity to respond to the charges. 

Rosmah today pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering related to deposits made from her Affin Bank account between the end of 2013 and 2017.

She also claimed trial to five charges of not declaring income to the Inland Revenue Board.

If found guilty, Rosmah 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. – October 4, 2018.