THE joint trial of Rosmah Mansor and her former aide Rizal Mansor for receiving bribes over a solar project for Sarawak rural schools will begin in February next year.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Zaini Mazlan set the trial dates for February 3 to 6, February 10 to 13, February 17 to 20, March 9 to 12, April 6 to 9, March 13 to 16, March 20 to 23, and March 27 to 30. The judge, who today allowed the prosecution’s application to try Rosmah and Rizal together, set case management for January 6.

Rosmah, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was charged with three counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM6.5 million in kickbacks for the solar hybrid project involving 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Rizal faces four charges of seeking and receiving bribes for himself and Rosmah, amounting to RM5.5 million, for the same project.

Rosmah also faces another criminal trial, where she faces 17 counts of money-laundering and tax offences.

The judge set May 11 to 14, May 18 to 21, June 29 to July 2, July 6 to 9, and July 13 to 16 for this trial.

Rosmah claimed trial in October to 12 counts of money-laundering involving RM7.1 million and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.

Rosmah was represented by Manjeet Singh Dhillon, K. Kumaraendran and Jagjit Singh today. Leading the prosecution was Gopal Sri Ram.

Rizal was represented by Ridha Abdah Subri.

Rosmah was not present in court today because she was ill and on medication that made her sleepy, Manjeet told the court, adding that her presence in such a condition would likely provoke media criticism.

Zaini permitted the medical leave, with the prosecution raising no objection.

Earlier, Zaini dismissed the prosecution’s application to jointly try all three cases – referred to in the courtroom as Rosmah Solar, Rizal Solar and Rosmah AMLA – saying only the joint trial of the solar cases fulfilled all criteria.

Last week, Sri Ram had argued joint trial for the three cases would satisfy requirements under sections 164, 165 and 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code and section 91 of the Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA).

Meanwhile, Zaini ordered Rosmah to follow a notice by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to declare her assets before her AMLA trial, in which she faces 17 counts of money laundering and tax offences.

Sri Ram told the court that the prosecution intended to call 17 witnesses for Rosmah Solar. – May 30, 2019.