NO DECISION ON THIRD REPRESENTATION

A-GC needs time to look into new points raised in letter from Rosmah’s lawyers

THE Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) has yet to decide on the third representation by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to drop the 12 money laundering charges involving more than RM7 million and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib told High Court judge K. Muniandy that the prosecution had received another follow-up letter from Messrs Reza Rahim & Rajivan representing Rosmah, 72, with new points.

“The new facts in the letter need to be investigated. But it is taking time due to the complexity of the issue and most witnesses were not available when we called them.

“We don’t have a decision yet on the representation. To save judiciary time, we propose we go on to hear the application (to drop charges) and the trial until we have a decision,” Ahmad Akram said during case mention in the High Court yesterday.

Counsel Joshua Tay, representing Rosmah, said the defence agreed to the prosecution’s suggestion, before justice Muniandy set July 4 to hear the application by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s wife to drop all 17 charges against her.

Rosmah’s first and second representations were submitted on May 3 and Aug 18 last year, respectively, but the A-GC has yet to make a decision.

Rosmah filed the application to be acquitted and discharged of all 17 charges on Oct 4, 2020.

She was alleged to have committed the offences at Affin Bank Bhd, Natural Rubber Building branch, in Jalan Ampang, between Dec 4, 2013 and June 8, 2017, and at the IRB office in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2018.

The trial began on Aug 24 last year and two witnesses have testified.