Rosmah’s defence claims selective, malicious prosecution
Rosmah Mansor’s defence team alleged in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today she was the victim of selective and malicious prosecution.
Defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader contended this during her corruption trial involving the controversial RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid energy project.
Rosmah Mansor’s defence team alleged in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today she was a victim of selective and malicious prosecution.
Defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader contended this during her corruption trial involving the controversial RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid energy project.
The veteran legal practitioner raised this when cross-examining prosecution witness, MACC investigating officer Noornabilah Mohd Aziman.
Akberdin was questioning the witness over the allegation that Pekan Umno division secretary Aazmey Abu Talib had never been charged in relation to the project while Rosmah has.
During the trial today, Akberdin referred to an alleged agreement whereby Aazmey would purportedly be paid RM50 million by Jepak Holdings for consultancy work related to the project.
During previous proceedings, Aazmey’s name had also been brought up by Rosmah’s defence team.
The lawyer also raised the matter of whether Rosmah was subjected to selective and malicious prosecution because the initial graft case against her former aide Rizal Mansor had been dropped earlier this year and he later testified against Rosmah.
On Jan 8 this year, it was reported that the prosecution withdrew the corruption case against Rizal in relation to the project.
Akberdin: Selective prosecution happened in this case, she (Rosmah) and her family had been oppressed. Gajah depan mata tak nampak (Malay idiom meaning not noticing something prominent right in front of one). There was an (alleged) agreement involving Aazmey, yet he was never charged?
Noornabilah: This is outside my knowledge.
Akberdin: The charges against her (Rosmah) are a form of malicious prosecution. The ones who should have been charged such as Rizal Mansor had their charges withdrawn and Aazmey was not charged until today?
Noornabilah: I only investigate, the decision (whether to withdraw a charge) is beyond my knowledge, my scope of duty.
When Akberdin (above) reiterated further that the charges against Rosmah are a form of oppression, Noornabilah denied it.
Rosmah is on trial over three charges on alleged misappropriation of funds for the supply and installation of solar energy panels at 369 rural schools in Sarawak for the Education Ministry.
She faces one count of allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million and two charges of purportedly receiving a bribe of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin as a reward for helping the company secure the RM1.25 billion project obtained through direct negotiations with the ministry.
During proceedings in the afternoon, Noornabilah disagreed with Akberdin's contention that the MACC did not charge former education minister Mahdzir Khalid in order for the prosecution to secure a conviction against Rosmah.
The prosecution witness also disagreed with the defence lawyer's assertion that the case against Rosmah was part of a malicious agenda to tarnish the image of her and her family.
Mahdzir had previously testified for the prosecution in the current corruption trial of Rosmah.
The trial before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan will resume tomorrow morning where Akberdin is expected to resume his cross-examination of Noornabilah.
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