THE lead prosecutor in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial was replaced as she had applied for early retirement, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said.

Idrus said there is a need for a new lead prosecutor as Raja Rozela Raja Toran will be on leave from August 30 while Zahid’s Yayasan Akalbudi trial dates will be until December.

He said this is to ensure continuity in the prosecution of Zahid.

“Raja Rozela applied for early retirement on April 3. The application was approved and will be enforced on November 1. She has applied to go on leave before her retirement, starting August 30,” Idrus said in a statement today. 

Idrus said senior deputy public prosecutor Dusuki Mokhtar will take over as the lead prosecutor in Zahid’s case.

According to Idrus, Dusuki had extensive experience as a deputy public prosecutor for nearly 30 years now and had handled high-profile cases even at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

“The decision (to replace Raja Rozela) was made carefully to ensure the prosecution’s case against Zahid is not affected and so that the attorney-general’s chambers can ensure justice is served,” said Idrus.

Earlier today, New Straits Times reported that Raja Rozela had been taken off Zahid’s case. She had been absent during proceedings last week.

When contacted, Raja Rozela told the news outlet, “I am a public servant, I am not allowed to comment. My apologies.”

Zahid faces 47 charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving millions from Yayasan Akalbudi, which he founded, and accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as home minister.

Twelve of the charges are for CBT, eight for corruption and the remaining 27 for money laundering.

Last week, the prosecution told the High Court that it is still considering Zahid’s representations concerning his ongoing corruption case. –  August 8, 2023.