Rosmah could be charged soon, says report by daily

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 18): Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pictured), wife of former PM Datuk Seri Naijib Tun Razak, could soon face charges of money laundering, reported the New Straits Times (NST) today.

Sources have informed the English daily that Rosmah could be “hit with up to 20 criminal charges, mostly linked to alleged money laundering”.  

NST said in its exclusive report that the authorities have “dusted off and resurrected the ‘Rosmah file’ about three months ago, soon after the Barisan Nasional government fell”.

One charge involves the purchase of supplements that enhance growth hormone levels by more than 600% “if consumed rigorously”, said the daily.

The report also noted that “those who swore by the products said they experienced a boost in energy levels, had better sleep, increased sex drive, decreased body fat, increased lean muscle mass and better skin complexion”.

The price for the products were “over RM1 million”.

Sources told NST that the cheque payment of more than RM1 million was made to a “Datuk” doctor in February 2015 for the purchase of two sets of supplements worth more than RM500,000 each.

According to the NST report, a similar account number from records of investigation that allegedly linked Najib to a now-closed AmIslamic account was seen on the cheque issued to the doctor. The account is now closed

The doctor revealed during questioning that the cheque was made out for “two sets of medication”, said the English daily.

NST also reported that “a cheque from the same account for RM100,000 was allegedly made out, also in February 2015, to a company for construction work at a house in Taman Duta”.

The home is a known address of Najib and Rosmah. The report said the monies were supposedly for “work done on the sentry post and a room, among others”.

Meanwhile, Najib has claimed trial to seven charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, all of them related to RM42 million of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of the troubled 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The seven charges against Najib are under three laws: Penal Code, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorrism Financing and Proceeds From Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

If convicted, Najib could face a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds from the alleged criminal activities.

The ex-PM’s trial has been fixed for 43 days over two separate sessions in February and March next year.

It was also reported more than a week ago that more charges may be pressed against Najib, going forward.

"There are many cases related to Najib; so far there were only a few charges made, but there are more charges, there are many cases against Najib, but we focus on those bigger ones, with clearer evidence, while continuing our effort to collect evidences for other cases," said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad then.