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MALAYSIA-CORRUPTION-COURT
Malaysia’s former first lady goes on trial for corruption
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Malaysia’s former first lady, who
allegedly bankrolled a luxurious lifestyle with kickbacks and stolen public
money, went on trial Wednesday for corruption for the first time since her
husband lost power.
Rosmah Mansor, notorious for making overseas shopping trips and owning vast
collections of handbags and jewellery, became a lightning rod for public
anger as the government of prime minister Najib Razak was engulfed by
corruption allegations.
Her husband’s long-ruling coalition suffered a shock election defeat in
2018 in large part due to claims he and his officials plundered billions of
dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.
Both Najib and his wife have since been hit with multiple charges over the
looting of the investment vehicle, but Rosmah’s first trial centres on
allegations she received bribes linked to a government project.
Prosecutors allege she pocketed 6.5 million ringgit ($1.6 million) for
helping a company secure the project to provide solar power generators to
schools on the Malaysian part of Borneo island.
The 68-year-old is also accused of soliciting a further 187.5 million
ringgit. Rosmah faces three counts of corruption for the offences, which
allegedly took place in 2016 and 2017.
– ‘Overbearing nature’
Rosmah, known for her imperious manner and enormous mane of hair, denied
all the charges as proceedings began at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The former prime minister’s wife “occupied no official position. However,
she wielded considerable influence by her own overbearing nature”, said
prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram in his opening statement.
“She placed herself in a position where she was able to influence decisions
in the public sector.”
The trial was supposed to start Monday but was delayed after Rosmah was
admitted to hospital complaining of neck pain. On Wednesday she arrived in a
car followed by an ambulance, and limped into the courtroom.
Najib, who is on trial at the High Court over the looting of 1MDB, made an
appearance in the courtroom as the trial got underway.
The former leader and his wife’s lavish lifestyles came to symbolise the
perceived rot in Malaysia’s ruling elite.
Following the 2018 election, police discovered valuables — including cash,
jewellery and luxury handbags — worth up to $273 million in properties
linked to the couple.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1152 hrs