FORMER Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid’s trial has been transferred to the high court.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah transferred her case from the sessions court, allowing an application from the prosecution.

Defence lawyers did not object to the transfer.

Hasanah, wearing a black dress and purple headscarf, did not speak.

She was represented by Shaharudin Ali, while the prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Muhd Ilmami Ahmad.

On October 25 last year, Hasanah, 61, pleaded not guilty to misappropriating US$12.1 million (RM50.22 million) at the Prime Minister’s Office ahead of the 14th general election.

She was charged, in her capacity as a civil servant, with committing the offence at the office of the director-general of the Research Division, Prime Minister’s Department, at Kompleks JPM in Putrajaya between April 30 and May 9 last year.

She was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code, and faces 20 years’ jail, whipping and a fine upon conviction. – March 15, 2019.