Grilled for 13 hours
Wife of ex-PM questioned by MACC for 13 hours over 1MDB
While MACC investigators question Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at length, believed to be over the 1MDB saga, a Dubai-based firm wants RM20.69 mil in bling back. The royal jeweller claims that he could bring his exquisite masterpieces to the ex-premier’s wife without having to go through Customs – thanks to officers from the PM’s Department.
PUTRAJAYA: It proved to be a long, gruelling day for Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as anti-graft officers interrogated her for 13 hours.
She entered the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here at 9.50am yesterday.
Speculation was rife that the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be held overnight and charged today.
But at 10.40pm last night, Rosmah emerged from the MACC headquarters. Although she looked exhausted, the 66-year-old afforded a meek smile to waiting journalists outside the building.
When asked for comment, she said: “I’m okay. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God).”
Her lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran and Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent said Rosmah would not be returning for further questioning.
“Datin Seri Rosmah has finished giving her statement. I will not comment further,” said Kumaraendran.
On June 5, Rosmah was questioned for about five hours by MACC investigators over a probe into SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) subsidiary.
The latest interrogation is believed to evolve around the 1MDB scandal.
Rosmah looked calm when she alighted from a Proton Perdana and walked past a horde of journalists who converged outside the MACC building earlier in the morning.
Her attire and accessories were the centre of attention, as she had colour coordinated her green baju kurung and tudung with a Loewe designer handbag and wedge shoes.
The last time out, she wore a blue baju kurung and red tudung, with her bright red Versace handbag drawing the most stares.
Throughout the day, her lawyers were seen coming in and out of the MACC building at least three times.
As is the practice, lawyers are usually not allowed in the interrogation room. Both spoke of their long wait as journalists tried to find out from them how long the questioning would take.
This was the second time Rosmah had been questioned by the MACC.
Last Thursday, Najib was slapped with 25 fresh corruption and money-laundering charges. He was granted bail of RM3.5mil with two sureties in his latest court case.
Investigators have not ruled out that Najib as well as other individuals could be faced with even more charges related to the 1MDB case.
The United States Department of Justice has alleged that more than US$4.5bil (RM18bil) was misappropriated from 1MDB and that about US$680mil (RM2.6bil) ended up in Najib’s personal bank account.