BERSATU’S Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif has urged the government, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers, to explain the absence of Raja Rozela Raja Toran, the lead prosecutor in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s trial. 

Sasha was referring to reports claiming Raja Rozela has not appeared in court since Monday and she is rumoured to have been replaced. 

“The corruption case against Zahid, involving 47 charges over the Yayasan Akal Budi funds, has seen Raja Rozela in tense exchanges with Zahid during the trial. Raja Rozela has been firm and determined in her conduct as prosecutor, both before and after Zahid became deputy prime minister of the Madani government. 

“This prosecution against a sitting deputy prime minister is a matter of high public interest. It must be seen to be carried out independently and transparently, without any interference,” she said.

New Straits Times reported that Raja Rozela, who had been handling the case from the onset of the trial, has not shown up in court since the trial resumed last Monday.

Prosecutors who have taken over from Raja Rozela have kept mum despite attempts to get clarification over the latter’s status.

The Malaysian Insight has also reached out to Attorney-General Idrus Harun. However, he has yet to respond to queries. 

Raja Rozela previously had numerous run-ins with Zahid in court, including telling him that “politics and money just cannot be separated”. 

Sasha said it is unacceptable for Raja Rozela to be replaced without reasons given to the public or to the court.

She added that the public is entitled to an explanation as to why an effective and hardworking prosecutor was suddenly taken off this high-profile case. 

“Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done. Criminal prosecution must be carried to its conclusion, irrespective of the status of the accused person. 

“I call upon the attorney-general and the government to provide an immediate and public explanation, including cogent reasons, for the removal or replacement of Raja Rozela. This is essential to maintain public confidence in our criminal justice system,” she said. 

Zahid, 70, is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft and money-laundering involving founding funds and he has been ordered to enter his defence against all charges. 

The trial before Court of Appeal judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who presided over the case as High Court judge, continues on Monday. – August 5, 2023.