KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's application to recuse the judge in her RM7 million money laundering and tax evasion case will be heard on Dec 14.
Rosmah's lead counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent said the date was fixed during case management before deputy registrar Catherine Nicholas today.
"We need to file our written submissions on Dec 3," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Poh Yih Thinn appeared for the prosecution.
Rosmah, 69, in her application said Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is the presiding judge in her other corruption case involving a solar hybrid project in Sarawak.
On Feb 18, Zaini ordered Rosmah to enter her defence after he ruled the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against her.
Rosmah claimed that the that statements and exhibits tendered before the court in the solar case could directly or indirectly influence Zaini if he was to preside over the money laundering case.
Rosmah argued that her right to a fair trial would be badly prejudiced and become pointless if the same judge hears both cases.
On Oct 4, 2018, Rosmah, 69, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering involving RM7,097,750, and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.
The offences were allegedly committed at Affin Bank in Jalan Ampang, here, between Dec 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017, and the Inland Revenue Board in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here between May 1, 2014, and May 1, 2018.
If found guilty, Rosmah faces imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of unlawful activity or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
The charges for tax evasion were made under Section 77(1) of the Income Tax Act that required her to furnish returns of her income for the assessment year 2013 to 2017 to the IRB director-general on or before April 30, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 without reasonable excuse contrary to Section 112 of the law.
The charges for tax evasion made under Section 77(1) of the Income Tax Act 1967 required her to furnish returns of her income for the assessment year 2013 to 2017 to the IRB Director-General on or before April 30, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 without reasonable excuse contrary to Section 112 of the law.