Tearful Rosmah cries 'victim' after found guilty on all charges

The High Court has found Rosmah Mansor guilty on all charges related to her corruption case linked to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid energy project.

Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan rules that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case.

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Rosmah gets 10 years’ jail, RM970m fine

• Prosecution seeks maximum penalties

• Rosmah: I am a victim, culprits still out there

• Court finds Rosmah guilty

• Court dismisses Rosmah's bid to recuse judge

• DPP: Court research units’ write-ups do not affect judicial independence

• Leaked docs: Raja Petra’s blog not a credible source - Sri Ram

• ‘No averment from prosecution that alleged leaked judgment was fake’

• Judge must carry out duty free from outside influence - lawyer

• Judge ready to hear recusal bid today

• Prosecution objects to verdict adjournment bid

• Rosmah's lawyer seeks adjournment of verdict

Rosmah, daughter leaves court complex

4.52pm: A forlorn Rosmah Mansor leaves the Kuala Lumpur court complex, accompanied by her daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib and entourage.

DPP leaves court

4.47pm: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram leaves court after holding a press conference at the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur court complex.

Couldn’t have done it without my team - Sri Ram

4.34pm: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram gives most of the credit to his team of deputy public prosecutors in their successful conviction of Rosmah Mansor at the High Court today. 

“I couldn't have done my job if I hadn’t received the strong support that they provided me,” he tells reporters during a press conference in the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. 

“I might have been slacking but not them,” he adds. 

When quizzed about whether he was happy about Rosmah’s sentencing, he says it is not the duty of the prosecutors to be happy or unhappy, but to just do their job. 

He says the purpose of these trials is to send a clear message to offenders to “stop in their tracks” and to let the public know that enforcers have done their duty.

Lawyer: RM970m fine ‘largest in M’sian history’

4.24pm: When addressing the media, defence lawyer Jagjit Singh questions Rosmah Mansor’s RM970 million fine, which he says is the largest fine imposed in Malaysian legal history. 

He adds that his client has no source of income to pay such a sum. 

Jagjit says an appeal will be applied for as soon as possible. 

“There will also be a notice of appeal on the application (to recuse trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan) which was refused, which we should have been allowed to appeal but it doesn’t matter as we all make mistakes in life,” he says.

Rosmah exits courtroom

4.16pm: Rosmah Mansor is seen leaving the courtroom after proceedings this afternoon.

Ten years’ jail, RM970m fine for Rosmah

4.09pm: The High Court imposes 10 years’ jail on Rosmah, and fined her RM970 million in lieu of another 30 years in jail.

However, the trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan allows the defence’s bid to stay the execution of imprisonment and fine pending her appeal to the Court of Appeal.

The judge also allows her to remain on her current bail of RM2 million.

Court stands down to decide Rosmah’s sentence

3.43pm: After having heard oral submissions over Rosmah Mansor’s sentencing, trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan stands down proceedings for short while to allow him to decide what penalties to levy against her.

DPP seeks maximum or new max sentence

3.26pm: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram seeks the maximum penalty, or near maximum penalty, in the solar graft case against Rosmah Mansor.

The former federal court judge points out that each of the three charges carries a penalty of maximum jail of 20 years, and a fine of five times the gratification.

He says this is to send the message to any alleged future offenders that corruption is a virulent thing in society that should be stamped out.

Sri Ram also seeks for the court to impose a total fine of RM970 million against Rosmah.

The DPP also informs the court that in the event that Rosmah fails to settle the fine, she can be hit with an additional 30 years of jail.

Defence seeks 1-day jail for Rosmah

3.24pm: Defence lawyer Jagjit Singh mitigates for a lenient sentence, citing Rosmah Mansor’s contribution in society and being a first-time offender, among other reasons.

The counsel then suggests a prison time of one day among other lenient sentences that may be meted out to Rosmah Mansor.

Rosmah: Might as well kill me

3.27pm: Rosmah mutters to herself “Might as well kill me” in the dock while listening to the prosecution’s oral submission, seeking a long jail term and heavy fine against her in the solar graft case.

‘I am a victim, real culprits still out there’

3.20pm: Rosmah Mansor claims she is a victim in the solar case as the actual perpetrators are out there.

She hopes that the court would have compassion for her as a human being.

“What happened to me can happen to you, your children, your grandchildren later. I am a victim in all of this.

“You have done it to my husband and you want my family to suffer.

“Please consider me as taking over the role of the man in the house,” she says tearfully.

Her husband, Najib Abdul Razak, is currently serving 12 years in jail for the RM42 million SRC case.

I never touched a single sen of Permata, Bakti: Rosmah

3.17pm: Rosmah Mansor tearfully says she has never taken for herself a single sen in the solar hybrid power energy project.

She similarly said she has never touched the millions in funds in Permata and Bakti, in which she was involved.

Rosmah cries while addressing court 

3.14pm: Rosmah Mansor addresses the court while sobbing.

She says that she is very sad about the verdict today but respects the court’s decision.

Rosmah says she always told her lawyers to only speak the truth and she taught her children this as well.

‘Rosmah established Permata’

3.08pm: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits that Rosmah Mansor has done something no other wife of the prime minister has done before, namely to establish Permata.

The lawyer points out that Permata was the accused’s brainchild and is recognised nationally and internationally for its role in educating children.

Defence: Rosmah contributed to country, especially children

3.03pm: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits for a lenient sentence, pointing out that Rosmah Mansor has contributed much to Malaysia and its people, especially children.

The lawyer contends that the prosecution had relied on the testimony of her former aide Rizal Mansor, who the lawyer claims is a self-declared corrupt person who turned star prosecution witness to save his own skin.

Court finds Rosmah guilty

2.56pm: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan finds Rosmah Mansor guilty on all three charges.

The judge says the accused failed to raise reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, and that her defence was unsubstantiated bare denial and devoid of credible evidence. 

The court then awaits for Rosmah’s defence to submit mitigation for a more lenient sentence.

Court to deliver verdict

2.53pm: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is set to read out the verdict in the solar case against Rosmah Mansor.

The accused is seen inside the dock.

Come rain or shine

2.45pm: Rain is not a deterrent for Rosmah Mansor’s loyal supporters waiting outside of the Kuala Lumpur court complex.

While most members of the media scramble to find shade, Rosmah’s supporters stay put on their picnic mats as they wait for today’s proceedings to end.

Rosmah's legal team seeks adjournment of solar case verdict

2.44pm: Rosmah Mansor's lawyers apply for postponement of the verdict in the solar corruption case against her.

Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits that the stay is sought pending their appeal to the Court of Appeal over the dismissal of her bid to recuse trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

Court dismisses Rosmah's bid to recuse judge

2.43pm: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan dismisses Rosmah Mansor's application to recuse him from the solar corruption case.

The judge points out that the two alleged leaked documents are not draft judgments or prepared on his instructions.

He says they are instead research write-ups done by the Kuala Lumpur High Court's research unit, and that these write-ups have no influence on his verdict in any way.

"I did not read their (research unit) opinions. I did my own research based on submissions by parties.

"I have always done my own work, and written over 200 judgments," Zaini says.

Proceedings resume

2.39pm: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan enters the court as proceedings resume, as he is expected to deliver his decision on Rosmah Mansor's application to recuse him from the solar corruption case.

The accused is seen in court looking on.

Lokman greets Rosmah in court

2.36pm: While waiting for proceedings to begin, former Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam is seen entering the court and greeting Rosmah Mansor in the public gallery.

Rosmah back in court

2.15pm: Rosmah Mansor enters the courtroom to await proceedings to resume.

Also seen in court are the prosecution team led by deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram and Rosmah’s defence team led by Jagjit Singh and Akberdin Abdul Kader.

Rosmah’s supporters still around

2.05pm: Rosmah’s supporters are seen outside the court compound as they wait for the proceedings to resume.

Verdict on recusal bid after lunch break

12.50pm: The court adjourns for a lunch break and will deliver its decision on Rosmah Mansor's recusal bid against trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan when proceedings resume this afternoon.

No matter how evil, there’s still some good in him - Rosmah’s lawyer on Raja Petra

12.42pm: Rosmah Mansor's counsel Jagjit Singh contends that no matter how evil a man can be, there is still some goodness in him.

The lawyer says this in response to the prosecution's oral submissions that the source of the alleged leaked judgments in Rosmah's solar case - the blog Malaysia Today run by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin - lacked credibility as he was a "rogue journalist".

"On the rogue writer (contention by the prosecution), whatever a man may be, no matter how evil a man can be, there is some goodness in him. That is what our religion teaches us.

"He may be a rogue writer, but are these documents fabricated?" Jagjit asks rhetorically before the court.

He adds that even if the alleged leaked judgment acquits Rosmah, they would still file to seek a retrial of her solar case.

DPP: Court research units’ write-ups do not affect judicial independence

12.35pm: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram orally submits that opinion write-ups by the court's research units do not jeopardise judicial integrity in making judgments.

The former federal court judge points out that it is a long-standing practice in Commonwealth nations that these research unit write-ups are merely to help judges when researching cases.

Sri Ram contends that at the end of the day, the research units’ write-ups are at best opinions of the unit members who wrote them and that it is still up to the judge to arrive at the actual decision of a case.

The court heard earlier today that the alleged leaked judgments of Rosmah's solar case are actually research papers written by the research units of the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Leaked docs: Raja Petra’s blog not a credible source - Sri Ram

12.31pm: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram orally submits that Malaysia Today - the blog run by Raja Petra Kamarudin from which the two alleged leak judgments of Rosmah Mansor's case were uploaded to - is not a credible source.

"In my submission, the writer of the articles (on the blog) is a fugitive from justice hiding somewhere in the United Kingdom.

"Secondly, he is a rogue journalist. Thirdly, his views alter according to how much he is paid," Sri Ram contends.

Rosmah's lawyer finishes oral submission

12.22pm: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh wraps up oral submission in the recusal application.

Leaked docs draft judgments prepped by third party, says lawyer

11.58am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh contends that the alleged leaked documents are draft judgments prepared by third parties for trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

The lawyer explains this when Zaini asks the former what these documents really are, which form the basis of Rosmah Mansor's application to recuse the judge from her solar graft case.

Rosmah's daughter Nooryana Najwa enters court

11.39am: Nooryana Najwa Najib, the daughter of Rosmah Mansor, is seen entering the court and taking a seat in the public gallery.

As she and others in the public gallery look on, defence counsel Jagjit Singh is seen orally submitting on the application to recuse trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from hearing Rosmah's solar corruption case.

Alleged leaked judgment on slide projector in court

11.23am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh refers to a copy of the alleged leaked judgment on Rosmah Mansor's solar case, which was on a slide projector in court.

The lawyer contends there is a risk of bias involving trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan as the document stated it was prepared for the judge’s consideration.

It was alleged that the leaked documents were not the actual written judgment against Rosmah, but copies of a write-up by the research unit of the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

‘No averment from prosecution that alleged leaked judgment was fake’

11.13am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits there is no averment from the prosecution that the alleged leaked judgment linked to Rosmah's solar case were fake documents.

The lawyer contends that a trial judge must be able to deliver decisions without improper influence direct or indirect from any other source.

Judge must carry duty free from outside influence - lawyer

11am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits that trial judges must be able to discharge their duties impartially while free from outside influence.

He says that judicial independence ensures a judge can assess evidence, apply the law, and decide the outcome of a case without regard to parties, in order to uphold the law.

"I have full confidence Your Lordship (Mohamed Zaini Mazlan) would not be influenced by this, but it (risk of bias) still exists, hence the purpose of this (recusal) application," Jagjit submits.

Dark clouds descend on judiciary like back in 1988 - lawyer

10.50am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh orally submits that dark clouds have descended on the judiciary since Aug 23.

He says this was similar to what happened in 1988, referring to the removal of the then lord president Salleh Abbas, historically known as the judicial crisis.

Jagjit claims that dark clouds descended again on Aug 23 this year, possibly referring to the apex court’s dismissal of an appeal by Rosmah's husband, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in his RM42 million SRC appeal.

There was an alleged leak of Najib's court judgment, prior to the apex court on Aug 23 upholding the conviction and sentencing of the former premier over seven criminal charges linked to RM42 million of funds from SRC.

Lawyer: Defence only needs to prove danger of bias

10.43am: Rosmah Mansor's lawyer Jagjit Singh orally submits that the law does not require an applicant to produce cogent evidence to prove bias on the part of the judge.

The lawyer says they only produce what they can and leave it to court to determine whether there is a danger of bias.

He submits that the test is whether there is one.

Lawyer: Rosmah's recusal bid not hearsay

10.40am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh denies the prosecution's assertion that the recusal bid against trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is based on hearsay evidence.

The lawyer says this is because the court had previously lodged a police report over the alleged leak judgment incident, and that the Sentul district police chief was reported confirming the authorities are investigating the matter under the Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code.

Proceedings resume

10.32am: Hearing of the recusal bid against trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan resumes after a break.

The break was called earlier to allow Rosmah's defence team to prepare counter-arguments against the prosecution's filed reply for the application to be dismissed.

Judge says ready to hear recusal bid today

9.42am: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan says that the court is ready to hear the recusal bid today.

He indicates he is not inclined to adjourn the verdict today, pointing out that he himself spent a large part of Merdeka Day yesterday reading the application filed a day earlier.

"Having said that, you have filed a certificate of urgency. You should be ready. You said there is a need to file a reply. I have read it (entire recusal application and other related documents)," Zaini says.

He points out that the recusal bid is hinged on an allegation of something that is supposedly within his knowledge and allegedly written by a third party.

The judge notes that Rosmah's legal team had filed a certificate of urgency for the recusal hearing to be heard as soon as possible, thus, he set today itself to hear the bid.

Zaini, however, allows half an hour postponement to allow Rosmah's legal team to prepare counter-arguments against the prosecution's affidavit.

Prosecution objects to adjourn verdict bid

9.33am: Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram raises objections against Rosmah Mansor's legal team's bid to adjourn today's verdict.

He labels the recusal application as devoid of merit, speculative in nature and done in bad faith.

Sri Ram says that the purported leaked judgment was not even a written judgment at all, pointing out that the document is a research and opinion write-up prepared by the Research Unit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

He adds that the prosecution is ready to proceed with the hearing today.

Rosmah's lawyer seeks adjournment of verdict

9.28am: Defence counsel Jagjit Singh seeks for today's verdict to be adjourned to allow the defence team to file a response to the prosecution's written submissions.

Jagjit says the defence team was only served with a copy of the prosecution's reply to the recusal this morning.

Hearing starts with recusal application

9.25am: The court begins hearing Rosmah Mansor's application to recuse trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from presiding over her solar corruption case.

Counsel Jagjit Singh begins his oral submissions on the application.

Proceedings begin

9.23am: Trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan enters the court as proceedings begin.

Rosmah in court

8.57am: Dressed in yellow, Rosmah Mansor is seen entering the High Court, taking a seat in the front row of the public gallery to await proceedings to begin.

Also seen in court are her lead defence counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader and Jagjit Singh.

Rosmah arrives for proceedings

8.55am: Rosmah Mansor and her counsel Jagjit Singh arrive at court.

They did not use the court’s main entrance.

Heavy police presence at court complex

8:35am: Members of the press and several supporters have gathered outside the Kuala Lumpur court complex for Rosmah Mansor’s hearing at 9am today.

There is a heavy police presence outside the complex, as it is understood that only authorised visitors are allowed to enter the court’s compound.

People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) officers have cordoned off the entry into the court grounds from as early as 6.40am.

Civilians attempting to enter the compound must show proof of their court proceedings to be granted admission.

Malaysiakini sights several supporters attempting to enter the compound but were turned away. A supporter says they will wait outside the court until the end of the hearing.

Media personnel without registered passes - issued by the court on Tuesday - are also not allowed to enter the compound.

It is understood that these newly implemented measures are to enforce crowd control after several incidents occurred at Rosmah’s husband and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s trial last week.

DPP Sri Ram in court

8.30am: Lead deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram is seen entering the High Court to await proceedings to begin.

Members of Rosmah Mansor's defence team are also seen in court.

Court expected to deliver verdict

8am: High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is set to rule over one charge of Rosmah allegedly soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of her purportedly receiving bribes of RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd’s former managing director Saidi Abang Samsuddin, through her former special officer Rizal Mansor.

It was allegedly done as an inducement to help the company to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project and Maintenance and Operation of Genset/Diesel for 369 Sarawak rural schools.

The verdict was initially set for July 7 but was put off to today.

On Nov 15, 2018, Rosmah claimed trial for the RM187.5 million graft-soliciting charge as well as the RM1.5 million graft-receiving count.

On April 10, 2019, she was hauled again to court to face one bribery count of receiving RM5 million.

Initially charged before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, the three charges were later transferred to the High Court for a joint trial.

On Feb 18 last year, the High Court ordered Rosmah to enter her defence, following its finding that the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against her.

The accused’s former aide Rizal and former education minister Mahdzir Khalid were the star witnesses out of the 23 that the prosecution called in the trial.

Rizal testified having carried RM5 million in two luggage bags to Seri Perdana - the prime minister's official residence in Putrajaya.

The money - in RM100 notes - allegedly came from Saidi in 2016.

The court heard that Mahdzir issued an instruction to amend the letter of award to Jepak Holdings by removing Clause 11, which stipulated that the government had the right to terminate the contract at any time.

Rosmah's defence team contended that the prosecution witnesses were conspiring against her.

Besides herself, the only other defence witness who took the stand was Siti Azizah Sheikh Abod, the former director of the First Lady of Malaysia (FLOM) division.

Rosmah faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to five times the amount of the bribe.

Najib is serving a 12-year jail term at the Kajang Prison over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

Rosmah’s trial: Police record statements over alleged leaked judgment

Court lodges police report over alleged Rosmah judgment leak

Verdict on Rosmah’s second recusal bid against Sri Ram set for Aug 30

Nov 22 set for Rosmah’s two appeals to recuse judge Zaini