KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 12): The High Court on Friday (Nov 12) fixed Dec 14 to hear Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's application to remove Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from presiding over her RM7.1 million money laundering and income tax trial, which has yet to start.

The date was confirmed by Rosmah's counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent.

He said the prosecution had been directed to file their reply to the application by Nov 19, followed by the defence's reply by Nov 26.

“The hearing of the application is fixed for Dec 14 and in between the parties have been asked to file their written submissions,” Geethan added.

On Thursday, it was reported that Rosmah — who is presently on trial and had been ordered to enter her defence by Justice Zaini with regard to the solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak — had filed an application to recuse the judge from the other trial.

She cited that Justice Zaini had already decided for her to enter her defence in the solar hybrid project case and last month allowed the prosecution's application to cross-examine her over the cautioned statement which she gave to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission with regard to the money laundering case.

Presently, Rosmah is in Singapore to visit her daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib, who is delivering her second child with her Kazakh husband.

Rosmah has claimed trial to 17 charges over some RM7.1 million allegedly transferred into her personal bank account between 2013 and 2017.

The 17 charges are framed under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Under the first eight charges, Rosmah is accused of being involved in money laundering by directly engaging in a transaction involving proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to RM1.1 million, which was deposited into her account.

For the ninth to the 12th charges, Rosmah is alleged to have directly engaged in 227 transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities totalling RM6 million, which was deposited into the same account.

On the 13th to 17th counts, Rosmah is accused of engaging in money laundering by failing to file a return on the sum that was deposited into her account — as required under the Income Tax Act 1967.