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Key Highlights
Rosmah’s ‘birthday present’
Mkini expose halts mining operations
A fallen hero’s widow and her home
Rosmah’s ‘birthday present’
Rosmah Mansor, who turned 73 on Dec 10, has described the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to acquit her as a “special birthday present”.
The wife of jailed former premier Najib Abdul Razak added that it is also a “present for Bossku”, which has become her husband’s nickname since his ouster in the 2018 general election.
“We will inform him of the happy news. This is what we have been waiting for,” she said.
Judge K Muniandy granted an order of acquittal after allowing Rosmah's application to have all charges against her quashed.
The application was based on the grounds that the charges were defective and failed to disclose the essential elements of the alleged offences.
Lead prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said an appeal would be filed.
Rosmah was charged on Oct 4, 2018. The case was later transferred to the High Court.
She faced 12 charges of money laundering involving RM7,097,750 and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
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Mkini expose halts mining operations
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry has issued a cease-work order to the two iron ore mining operators suspected of causing pollution in Sungai Kelaik, Gua Musang, Kelantan.
The order comes in the wake of a Malaysiakini exposé last week.
Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said one company - Aqua Orion Sdn Bhd - was found to be operating without an environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval, while the other mine - run by Redstar Capital Sdn Bhd - was found to not be operating.
“Our investigation found that Aqua Orion conducted activities without obtaining approval under Subsection 34A(3).
“An investigation paper will be opened immediately under Subsection 34A(6),” he said.
Previously, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed his ministry was investigating the health hazards raised in the Malaysiakini report.
The Malaysiakini report revealed high levels of chromium - a carcinogenic heavy metal - in the blood of one of six Orang Asli villagers who volunteered for testing.
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A fallen hero’s widow and her home
The widow of a police sergeant killed during the Royal Sulu Army intrusion in 2013 is facing the prospect of witnessing her home being torn down.
Sitti Bandorah Mahali’s lhome in Kampung Alab - a water village - is one of those slated for demolition for allegedly encroaching into the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Sitti told Malaysiakini that the police officers, who accompanied the demolition team, had berated her in front of her children, causing her to feel contempt for the very uniform she once cherished.
“Can you imagine my feeling? I felt like crying. I used to be so proud of the police uniform. I was really proud that I told my children to join the police when they grow up, despite still feeling the hurt from losing my husband,” she said.
However, Sabah police commissioner Jauteh Dikun said the controversy surrounding the demolition of homes on Pulau Bugaya has been exploited by certain parties.
“The police have found that this issue is untrue, as the widow of the late sergeant does not reside in the said house. The house belongs to her father and was built in the 1980s. It is occupied by her sibling and nephews.
“Our investigation also revealed that Sitti Bandorah lives in her home on the mainland and owns several other houses herself,” he added.
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