KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today rejected Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's application to prevent the media from reporting disparaging evidence against her by a former aide.
High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan did not mince his words when shooting down the application by Rosmah's lawyers Datuk Jagjit Singh and Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader.
"I believe in the freedom of the press," he said even as both counsels vehemently pleaded for an order to bar the media from reporting portions of the witness statement which was being read by Rosmah's former Special Officer Datuk Rizal Mansor.
Both counsels argued that parts of Rizal's testimony was nothing but hearsay and pure character assassination of their client.
They contended that it should not be published in the media as there would be no turning back the damage done to Rosmah's name even if it is later ruled inadmissible by the court.
However, lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram countered that the lawyers argument could not be accepted as every witness would have disparaging things to say in a corruption trial.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Zaini ordered the witness to continue reading his witness statement.
He said lawyers representing the accused would have a chance to cross examine the witness and challenge his testimony during the course of the trial.
He also shot down the defence application by stating that the press would not be able to report anything on court cases if the court was to accept their arguments.
Rosmah, 69, is on trial for soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes amounting to RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd manahging director Saidi Abang Samsuddin.
The bribes were allegedly received through Rizal as a reward for helping Jepak Holdings secure the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 schools in the interior of Sarawak.
Rosmah was accused of committing the offences between January 2016 and Sept 2017.