KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun exceeded his powers when he appointed Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram as a senior deputy public prosecutor to spearhead 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-related investigations and prosecute those involved, claims Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pic).

       The wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made this assertion in a supporting affidavit relating to her application to disqualify Sri Ram from prosecuting her RM7mil money laundering and tax evasion case.

       The affidavit was filed on Thursday (Jan 27) and made available to the press on Friday (Jan 28).

       In the document, Rosmah said after scrutinising Sri Ram's appointment letters, made available by the prosecution to the defence, she found that an appointment letter dated May 21 last year did not refer to her criminal case.

       "Even if the court finds that Idrus had acted properly in line with his statutory powers, Sri Ram is still not a 'fit and proper' individual to conduct the prosecution because based on a letter dated July 8, 2020, it was clear that Sri Ram was involved in the investigation," Rosmah said.

       Rosmah also stated in the document that her lawyers would be making further submissions during the hearing of the application.

       "I believe that following all that has been stated above, it is clear that Sri Ram should be disqualified as a prosecuting officer of the case," she added.

       The hearing of Rosmah's application to disqualify Sri Ram is fixed for hearing before Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan on Feb 3.

       Rosmah is facing 12 money-laundering charges amounting to about RM7mil and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).