KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's corruption trial was vacated today after she came in close contact with a Covid-19 positive case.
High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan vacated the hearing after Rosmah's counsel Datuk Jagjit Singh informed the court that his client's MySejahtera status turned orange this morning.
"My client is here in her car inside the court premises waiting for my lord's instruction whether to continue the proceedings or to vacate.
"Her husband Datuk Seri Najib Razak's MySejahtera status is red," he said.
Zaini: Are you saying Datuk Seri Najib is positive of Covid-19?
Jagjit: I am not sure my lord, but I was informed his status (MySejahtera) is red.
Zaini: Red means you are positive of Covid-19.
Jagjit: I am sorry but I am really not sure.
Zaini said the court complex's standard operating procedure (SOP) allowed only people with blue MySejahtera to enter the building.
"Even if I decide to proceed with the case, the officers will not allow the accused to enter the building.
"They can overwrite my decision… this is a strict regulation that I have to oblige.
"Thus, I will vacate today's and tomorrow's proceedings," he said.
Zaini also instructed Jagjit to update the court on Rosmah's MySejahtera status this Friday.
"This is a responsibility you have to take...you need to ensure your client updates her MySejahtera status and informs the court on any latest development.
"If her status is blue (low-risk), we will continue the hearing on Friday," he added.
Zaini also asked the defence to explain to the court why Rosmah failed to return from her trip to Singapore by Nov 21 as ordered by the court in October.
Jagjit explained that there was a change in his client's travel plans considering the change in the quarantine rules under the new Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore.
Zaini, who was not amused by the explanation, stated that the court order must be followed at all times.
"I understand the shift in government policy... My order, however, has not changed.
"There is no need for the order if we allow it to be violated.
"You have been practising for at least 30 to 40 years... you ought to know better," he said.
On Oct 15, Zaini allowed Rosmah's application to temporarily get back her international passport.
She went to Singapore to be with her daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib who was about to give birth.
Rosmah is on trial for soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd's former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her former special officer Datuk Rizal Mansor.
The 69-year-old was accused of committing the offence between Jan 2016 and Sept 2017. She purportedly received the money in exchange for helping the company obtain a RM1.25 billion project to provide solar energy to 369 rural schools in Sarawak.