THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today ordered Rosmah Mansor to enter her defence for all three corruption charges related to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak.

“On the maximum evaluation of the evidence, I find the prosecution has established a prima facie case on all charges,” said Zaini.

Rosmah, 69, clad in yellow baju kurung, appeared calm when the decision was read.

She is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million as an inducement to help the company secure the solar hybrid project in Sarawak and receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million in 2016 and 2017.

When the decision was read, Rosmah was given three options – to testify on oath from the witness stand, where she will be cross-examined; by an unsworn statement from the dock, or to remain silent. 

Rosmah then chose to give a sworn statement from the witness stand. 

Najib was seated at the public gallery when the court delivered its ruling.

Prior to reading his decision, Zaini agreed to accept the prosecution’s application to have the “Can I advise you something” audio clip and transcripts to be admitted as evidence, reversing on his earlier judgment made on the same matter on December 11. 

Zaini said he was well within his jurisdiction to review and reverse his earlier ruling as the case is still in trial.

Earlier, the prosecution said it wanted to use the audio recording, which was released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in January 2020, as proof of Rosmah’s “overbearing nature”. 

Zaini then ruled he was “disinclined” to admit the aforementioned clips and transcripts as evidence.

The court today set June 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 22 as well as July 12 and 15 as the initial dates for the defence stage of the trial. 

Lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram offered 10 witnesses to the defence and Rosmah’s husband, Najib was among the 10 in the list. 

Rosmah’s defence team was led by Jagjit Singh. – February 18, 2021.