Rosmah grilled, Abdul Azeez remanded

By AFIQ AZIZ / Graphic By TMR

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) continued to question Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, with the wife of the former prime minister (PM) grilled by the agency for almost 13 hours yesterday.

Rosmah arrived at the graft-buster’s headquarters in Putrajaya at 9.50am, the second time the wife of Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak was called to the agency to assist investigation. She left the building at 10.40pm, saying: “I am okay. Alhamdulillah. My lawyer will comment.”

She was first summoned to give her statement to the MACC in June, in a session that lasted for about five hours. It is not known whether the latest questioning was related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) multibillion money laundering scandal that includes the fund’s former subsidiary, SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Her husband Najib is already facing 32 charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption in relations to funds linked to 1MDB, including the money deposited into his account. The former PM had pleaded not guilty to all the charges and vowed to clear his name.

Rosmah was served a notice to present herself at the MACC headquarters for questioning on Tuesday. She arrived at the MACC headquarters at 9.50am in a black Proton Perdana, accompanied by her lawyer Datuk K Kumaraendran. Her other lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent was also present at the agency.

Donning a green baju kurung and selendang, Rosmah looked calm despite the large media attendance since morning. 

After Rosmah left, her lawyers said they are not expected to be back to the MACC today. Kumaraendran said: “I am not in a position to say anything.”

Speculation on potential charges against Rosmah heightened after MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull confirmed the agency had completed its investigation into Rosmah.

Investigation papers related to Rosmah had been submitted to the Attorney-General (AG) for further action.

It is not known whether Rosmah will be charged despite reports that she will face criminal charges related to money laundering.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has been remanded for four days to assist the MACC over alleged corruption.

The former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman ,who was detained on Tuesday by the graft buster, was brought to the court in Putrajaya yesterday.

Abdul Azeez’s brother Abdul Latiff and cousin Mohamad Nazri Osman, who were also detained on Tuesday, have also been remanded to facilitate the investigation.

Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim issued the remand order against the three men under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The 36-year-old cousin, who is a director of a company linked to Abdul Azeez, was detained at 5.30pm on Tuesday.

The three arrived at the court complex at 10.30am yesterday, clad in the familiar orange MACC lock-up attire.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that lawyer Devanandan Subramaniam, who is leading a team of four lawyers for the trio, said they were remanded in relation to some contracts given out during Abdul Azeez’s tenure as chairman of TH.