Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram, who has been appointed senior deputy public prosecutor, told High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan this when the matter came up for mention today.
Zaini then set April 24 for mention for an update on the status of the cases involving Rosmah, 67, and Rizal, 45.
Lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent, representing Rosmah, told reporters after the proceeding that today was fixed to hear the application for the joint hearing of the corruption and money laundering cases.
“But it could not be conducted because only the case on money laundering was registered before judge Mohamed Zaini, and also Rosmah’s failure to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
“The status of the corruption case on the supply and installation of solar energy to rural schools in Sarawak involving Rosmah is still unknown,” he said.
On Oct 4 last year, Rosmah, who is also represented by lawyers Manjeet Singh Dhillon and K Kumaraendran, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to 12 counts of money laundering involving RM7,097,750 and five counts of failing to declare her income to LHDN.
The offences were allegedly committed at Affin Bank Bhd, Bangunan Getah Asli branch, ground floor, 148 Jalan Ampang here between Dec 4, 2013 and June 8, 2017 and the LHDN, Kompleks Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2018.
The money laundering charges were framed under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law which provides 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, upon conviction.
The charges of tax evasion were made under Section 77(1) of the Income Tax Act 1967, which require her to furnish returns of her income for the assessment years of 2013 to 2017 to the LHDN director-general on or before April 30, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 without reasonable excuse contrary to Section 112 of the law.
On the case involving the supply and installation of solar energy to rural schools in Sarawak, Rosmah was charged with two counts of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving RM1.5 million two years ago for the projects.
The charges were made under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act. She faces imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Rizal, represented by lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri, pleaded not guilty to four counts of soliciting and accepting bribes for himself and Rosmah amounting to RM5.5 million, involving the supply of equipment and installation of the solar hybrid system for rural schools in Sarawak.
The charges were framed under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act, which provides imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.