Rosmah Mansor arriving in court for her trial last year. (Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court will rule on Feb 18 whether Rosmah Mansor, who is facing three counts of corruption to help a company secure a RM1.25 billion solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, needs to enter her defence.

Trial Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan fixed the date after hearing oral submissions from the prosecution and defence.

The prosecution had called 23 witnesses to prove its case. The trial started on Feb 5 last year.

The wife of ex-prime minister Najib Razak will have a case to answer if the prosecution establishes a prima facie case. Otherwise, Rosmah is entitled to an acquittal.

Rosmah is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her then aide Rizal Mansor as an inducement to help the company obtain the contract through direct negotiation with the education ministry.

She is also charged with two counts of receiving bribes amounting to RM6.5 million – RM1.5 million from Saidi at her private residence at Langgak Duta here on Sept 7, 2017, and another RM5 million from Saidi through Rizal at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya on Dec 20, 2016. - Free Malaysia Today