Can Rosmah Mansor testify via video-conference for her trial?

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Rosmah Mansor's Testimony Via Video-Conference Was Considered but Not Approved

Rosmah Mansor's corruption trial could not proceed as scheduled because her MySejahtera status remained "orange," preventing her physical entry into the Kuala Lumpur court complex. While a hybrid trial, allowing her to testify remotely via video-conference, was suggested by the lead prosecutor, the High Court judge expressed reservations due to the lack of clear legal provisions and a desire to avoid derailing the proceedings. The judge consequently vacated the trial session and advised Rosmah's legal team to ascertain if her MySejahtera status would be cleared to "blue" for the next scheduled appearance.
MySejahtera Status Hindered Court Attendance

The continuation of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's corruption trial was halted on December 10 because her MySejahtera application displayed an "orange" status. This classification signifies a "casual contact with symptoms," "close contact," or "suspected case" of Covid-19. Access to the Kuala Lumpur court complex is strictly limited to individuals with a "blue" status, indicating a "low-risk" health classification. Rosmah's legal team confirmed the status was verified by the court registrar, preventing her from entering the premises to testify.
Proposal for Hybrid Trial Proceedings

Lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram proposed conducting the trial in a hybrid format, suggesting Rosmah could provide her testimony remotely from her lawyer's office or home. This would allow the judge and other legal personnel to continue with the proceedings physically in court while connecting with Rosmah via a screen. The prosecution indicated that a supervising deputy public prosecutor and solicitor would be present to oversee the remote testimony.
Judicial Caution Regarding Hybrid Trials

High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan acknowledged considering the possibility of a hybrid trial but expressed a need for caution. He indicated that a review of relevant provisions did not reveal clear legal avenues for such an arrangement. The judge emphasized his desire to avoid any complications that could potentially derail the trial at its current stage.
Trial Postponement and Future Dates

As a result of the unresolved MySejahtera status and the judge's reservations about hybrid proceedings, the trial session was vacated. The judge requested Rosmah's lawyers to confirm if her MySejahtera status would be updated to "blue" by the next scheduled date, December 13. Further trial dates have since been set for January 10-14 and February 4 of the following year to accommodate the continuation of the defence's case, which includes Rosmah's testimony and that of two subsequent witnesses.

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Can Rosmah Mansor testify via video-conference for her trial?

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