THE prosecution in Rosmah Mansor’s corruption trial is seeking to admit as evidence an audio recording of phone calls between her and her husband, Najib Razak.

The prosecution said it wanted to use the audio recording, which was released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in January, as proof of Rosmah’s “overbearing nature”.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan fixed October 20 to hear the application and defence’s arguments.

The MACC released nine audio clips, which were handed over to the commission by a whistle-blower, involving former prime minister Najib and others, which the graft buster said was evidence of “abuse of power and fabrication of false evidence” in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

In one of the recordings, dubbed the “Can I advise you something?” clip, a heated conversation takes place between a man and a woman, believed to be Najib and Rosmah. She can be heard offering him “advice” on how to manage the 1MDB scandal.

During the prosecution’s opening statement in the trial, lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram had described the 69-year-old accused as being “overbearing”, a trait she had used to “wield considerable influence”, and said she had placed herself in a position where she was able to influence decisions in the public sphere.

Rosmah’s lawyers had previously requested the judge object to the audio clips being admitted as evidence, arguing it amounted to “character assassination”.

Today in court, the defence wrapped up cross-examining the final prosecution witness, the case’s investigating officer from the MACC.

Noornabilah Mohd Aziman, 30, the trial’s 23rd prosecution witness, was released from the stand by Zaini after testifying for three consecutive days.

Defence lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kadir grilled Noornabilah on matters related to the solar panel project’s contractor Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, its contract with the Education Ministry, and roles played by various parties in helping Jepak secure the solar project.

Among others, she was also asked about Najib’s support for the implementation of the project in 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Akberdin also questioned Noornabilah’s credibility, at one point calling her “incompetent” for failing to conduct a thorough investigation. He also accused the MACC officer of practising selective prosecution towards Rosmah.

During re-examination, prosecution lawyer Ahmad Akram Gharib asked Noornabilah if Rosmah knew Jepak Holdings’ managing director, Saidi Abang Samsuddin.

Based on her investigation, Noornabilah confirmed that the two knew each other personally, saying Rosmah’s former aide, Rizal Mansor, had introduced them.

This contradicts Rosmah’s statement to the MACC, in which she claimed not to know Saidi or his business partner, Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

In her statement to the MACC, Rosmah also denied soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi as gratification to help Jepak secure the solar hybrid project.

The statement was submitted as an exhibit to the court by the prosecution.

The defence will recall former education minister Mahdzir Khalid to the witness stand for further cross-examination on October 20 before the prosecution ends its case.

Mahdzir is presently under self-quarantine after returning from Sabah.

Rosmah, 69, is charged with three counts of corruption, one of which is for soliciting RM187.5 million from Saidi as an inducement to help the company secure the solar hybrid project in Sarawak.

She is also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi in 2016 and 2017. – October 7, 2020.