Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian ex-PM Najib Razak, shows up for graft trial with ambulance in tow

‘Do I have a choice?’ was her response when asked by reporters if she was feeling better

Her lawyers on Monday claimed Rosmah, who faces charges including money laundering and soliciting bribes, was too unwell to attend

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Rosmah Mansor arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on February 5. Photo: EPA

Published: 2:30pm, 5 Feb 2020Updated: 7:16pm, 5 Feb 2020

Despite an eleventh-hour medical excuse and brief hospitalisation, self-styled former “First Lady of Malaysia” Rosmah Mansor appeared in court today for her corruption trial – with an ambulance in tow.

Rosmah – the wife of disgraced ex-premier Najib Razak, who fell from power two years ago – was meant to begin her trial on Monday. However, her lawyers filed a medical report claiming she was too unwell to attend, and a day later said she had been hospitalised, raising doubts as to whether her trial would proceed after being adjourned to Wednesday.

Upon arriving at court dressed in a flowery green baju kurung – a traditional Malay loose-fitting long blouse and skirt – Rosmah told reporters “Do I have a choice?” when asked if she was feeling better.

In his opening statement, lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said Rosmah “wielded considerable influence by reason of her overbearing nature” despite not holding any official position.

“She placed herself in a position where she was able to influence decisions in the public sector. The prosecution will lead direct and circumstantial evidence to show that the accused solicited a bribe and received gratification as alleged in the charges brought against her,” he told the court.