THE corruption trial of Rosmah Mansor in connection with the supply and installation of solar energy at 369 rural schools in Sarawak will continue for 31 days beginning July 13 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set the dates after deputy public prosecutor Poh Yih Tinn informed the court that all parties involved had discussed the suitable dates to continue the hearing.

The dates that had been set for the hearing are from July 13 to 16; August 3 to 6 and 17 to 19; September 7 to 10 and 14 to 17; October 5 to 8; November 2 to 5 and 16 to 19.

This was confirmed by Rosmah’s lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kadir. She was exempted from attending court today.

Poh also informed the court that he would call nine more witnesses and would also submit three more witness statements to the defence by end of the month.

The prosecution has so far called 12 witnesses and when hearing continues on July 13, the defence is expected to continue with its cross-examination of the 12th witness, former education ministry secretary-general Alias Ahmad.

Rosmah, 68, is facing a charge of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving a bribe of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former aide, Rizal Mansor as gratification for helping the company to secure the RM1.25 billion project in Sarawak, through direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.

She allegedly committed the offences at three places – Lygon Cafe at Sunway Putra Mall in Jalan Putra; her house at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, and at the Seri Perdana Residence in Putrajaya between January 2016 and September 7, 2017.

Rosmah, who is wife of former prime minister Najib razak, was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC), and faced an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification of RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

She was initially supposed to be tried with Rizal, who was charged with four counts of soliciting and receiving bribes on her behalf over the project.

However, on January 8, the court acquitted Rizal of the charges after the prosecution withdrew all four charges against him. – Bernama, May 20, 2020.