KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated corruption trial involving Datin Seri Rosmah scheduled to start tomorrow is likely to be adjourned again.
This after Rosmah, the wife of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was admitted for treatment at a private hospital here, last night.
Her counsel Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader said Rosmah was admitted based on her doctor’s advice.
“Yes, I can confirm that she was admitted last night.
“She was admitted for further observation and examination to rule out any further complications,” he said.
He said the possibility for her trial to start tomorrow was slim.
“We will inform the court on the latest development during proceedings before Justice Mohd Zaini Mazan tomorrow,” he said.
Akberdin, however, did not disclose his client’s condition.
Rosmah did not attend the first day of her much-anticipated corruption trial yesterday as she had been given an MC (Medical Chit).
Her lead counsel Datuk Jagjit Singh informed High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that Rosmah’s condition could be described as life threatening.
Jagjit added that Rosmah is unfit to attend the trial for this entire week but the defence was ready to proceed next week.
However, lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram vigorously objected the defence’s application and said Rosmah was just trying everything possible to avoid attending court.
He even called on the judge to revoke Rosmah’s bail and throw her in prison to ensure her attendance in court.
The court then adjourned the trial to tomorrow (Wednesday).
Rosmah, 69, was supposed to attend the first day of her corruption trial in connection with the supply and installation for solar energy at 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
She is facing two counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM1.8 million for projects to provide solar energy to rural schools in Sarawak.
On the first count, she was charged with dishonestly soliciting for herself a gratification of RM187.5 million –which is 15 per cent of the value of the contract from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudain.
It was an inducement to help the company to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and Maintenance and Operation of Genset/Diesel for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, worth RM1.25 billion through direct negotiation from the Education Ministry.
She was charged with committing the offence at Lygon Café, in Sunway Putra Mall, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit between March and April 2016.
On the second count, she was charged with dishonestly receiving for herself RM1.5 million from Saidi for the same purpose at No 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta on Sept 7, 2017.
Rosmah also faces a third count of accepting gratification of RM5 million from Saidi to secure the same project at the same place in Jalan Langgak Duta.
She is charged under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and faces up to 20 years' jail and fine, if convicted.
Rosmah was initially jointly charged with her former special officer Datuk Rizal Mansor with soliciting and receiving the bribes.
However, the prosecution has since withdrawn all the charges against Rizal and he is expected to be called as a prosecution witness.